Panerai

Officine Panerai can trace its roots back to 1860 when Giovanni Panerai opened up his watch shop in Florence, Italy. Giovanni’s grandson Guido Panerai took over the company at the turn of the century and began supplying the Royal Italian Navy, La Regia Marina with high precision instruments. However by the 1970s Panerai gradually ceased supplying the Italian military as the government moved towards disarmament. By the early 1990s, Panerai’s main business became threatened since its revenue was dependent on the needs of the navy. Thus in 1993, Panerai pivoted to the civilian market for the first time and debuted three watch models to the public inspired by watches historically supplied to the Italian Navy: the Luminor, Luminor Marina and the Mare Nostrum. Panerai was subsequently purchased by industry juggernaut Vendome, now Richemont, in 1997. 

 The present PAM00036 Luminor Marina Militare was introduced in 1998 during the early Vendome years with a limited production of 200 units and is considered one of the most coveted early production Panerai models following the acquisition in 1997. In addition to the characteristic half-moon crown guard mechanism protruding from the right-hand side of its 44mm cushion-shaped case, the PAM00036 features a 'four liner' tobacco colored sandwich dial and a titanium 'Bettarini' case, named after Alessandro Bettarini who was the head of Panerai’s mechanical design department in the 90s. One of the most coveted features of these early models was also the Tritium painted dial and hands as many models would later transition to using Luminova instead. 

Complete with its original box and papers and numbered 66 out of 200, we are pleased to offer the present PAM00036, which represents a pivotal moment for the Panerai brand.