In a brand first, Panerai has introduced an Annual Calendar into its collection, specifically designed for the Radiomir collection and available in 2 beautiful variants: One in GoldtechTM with a blue sun-brushed dial, and one PlatinumtechTM with a burgundy sun-brushed dial.
Panerai have a long history dating back to the late 1800s, and when it comes to the Radiomir, the first patent came out in 1935. Whilst true to the original design, the brand has evolved it over the years, with additions like the now famous crown guard on the Luminor range. Produced exclusively for the Italian military, it wasn’t until the 1970’s that Panerai was even known outside military circles, and again, not until 1993 when it released three collections of ten references in limited editions – the 44 mm Luminor and Luminor Marina watches and the 42 mm Mare Nostrum chronograph. The Radiomir came only a few years later, available commercially in 1997 when the Vendome Group – today Richemont Group – acquired Panera. Launching to the market, they introduced the first Vendome special edition in sixty pieces – the PAM 21 model in a platinum version. The brand has come a long way since then!
At Watches and Wonders this year Panerai have launched a ground-breaking first for the brand – two Annual Calendar pieces, designed specifically for the Radiomir collection, complete with the Annual Calendar complication, seconds, minutes, hours, days, and now, each month of the year. All these complications form a precious new in-house movement for Panerai, the P.9010/AC (Annual Calendar).
Whilst most Annual Calendars are notoriously sophisticated in their movements, Panerai has taken (like they always do) the complicated and made the end result simple: easy and legible dials designed for maximum readability. In fact, the dial clearly displays the complete information needed. Date is displayed at 3 o’clock with the day & the date through two dials openings. The current month is displayed on an external moving disc, indicated by a fixed arrow at 3 o’clock.
Adding to this, for every month change, a cam in the movement allows the turning disc to change instantaneously, making the information click over at the end of the month. The only time this needs to be adjusted manually is February, when the date change needs to be set from either the 28th or 29th, depending on the year. Panerai have also made changing the day easy, should you need to change it, via a small push button built into the side of the case, one simple push and it moves the day forward.
The new Radiomir Annual Calendar models are powered by the automatic P.9010/AC caliber, reflecting Panerai’s DNA in crafting complications with Italian style and flair, combined with Swiss watchmaking expertise. The automatic P.9010/AC is a full automatic, 3 day power reserve movement, 7.90 mm thick pivoting on 40 jewels, and beating at 28,800 vph/4Hz. Like most Panerai movements, it also includes it’s patented Incabloc™ anti-shock device, two barrels for the 72hrs, also ensuring better accuracy via less torque loss and made up of 316 components.
A sapphire crystal open back case showcases a fascinating complication while the sandwich dial features the months, days, and the name of the complication, Calendario Annuale, all written in Italian. A nice touch and a perfect nod to Panerai’s Italian heritage.
The case design is pure Radiomir, with that classic 45mm cushion style case now found across multiple model lines. Each of the two pieces are unique in their materials, using both Goldtech™ and Platinumtech™ – proprietary alloys now widely used by the brand across their higher end models. For those that are not familiar with either of these metals, Goldtech™ is a gold material developed for the first time by Panerai, including a combination of platinum and copper, giving the metal an intense red appearance, Panerai’s answer to Rose Gold alloys other brands use, like OMEGA’s Sedna Gold, or Rolex’s Everose.
Platinumtech™ , whilst not a lot is known about the alloy is, according to Panerai, “harder than conventional platinum with enhanced physical properties” and then is put through a manual polishing process. Needless to say, in the hand, Panerai Platinum models are something else.
Both PAM1363 and PAM1432 have beautiful sun-brushed sandwich dials, overlaid on top of the disc of Super-Luminova, with the deep blue accompanying the Goldtech™ model and a burgundy sun-brushed dial the Platinumtech™ . Each dial does look stunning in the press pics, but if these are anything like the newer colour dial variants across the Luminor and Luminor Due collections, then they will look the business.
Over the past few years, Panerai have released some very special models, helping to cement it’s association and partnerships with their collaborators, such as the Submersible Special Editions, giving owners the chance to have a money can’t buy experience with explorers like Mike Horn, or a chance to live a day in the life of the Italian Navy Seals. Panerai have taken this philosophy and applied it to the new PAM01432 Platinumtech™ Annual Calendar. Every owner of this timepiece will be invited to participate in an extraordinary journey to the Eternal City, Rome, the capital of Italy. The experience will immerse participants in the essence of the brand through events that combine artisanal know-how, culture and tours of historical sites.
Both Annual Calendar models are Boutique Exclusives.
Reference: PAM01363 (Goldtech™ ) and PAM01432 (Platinumtech™ )
Specifications
- Case: PAM01363 – 45mm polished Panerai Goldtech™, polished Panerai Goldtech™ bezel. See-through sapphire crystal and Panerai Goldtech™ caseback. PAM01432 – 45mm polished Panerai Platinumtech™, polished Panerai Platinumtech™ bezel. See-through sapphire crystal and Panerai Platinumtech™
- Dial: Blue (PAM01363) or Burgundy (PAM01432) sun-brushed with luminous Arabic numerals and hour markers. Day and date at 3 o’clock and small seconds at 9 o’clock. Months indicator on the rehaut.
- Crystal: Sapphire crystal formed of corondum
- Functions: Hours, Minutes, Small seconds, Annual Calendar
- Movement: Automatic mechanical, P.9010/AC calibre. 7.90 mm thick, 40 jewels, 28,800 vph/4Hz. Incabloc™ anti-shock device. Two barrels. 316 components
- Power Reserve: 3 days
- Strap: Dark blue alligator strap with polished Panerai Goldtech™ buckle (PAM01363) / Black alligator strap with polished Panerai Platinumtech™ buckle. (PAM01432)
- Waterproof: 10 bars (~100 meters)
