PAM00992Two new highly suggestive references. Panerai perfects the Radiomir collection with a pair of unprecedented re-propositions of an epic model from which it all began. An acknowledgement of its glorious past, as well as a heightened reaffirmation of identity. A rightful return to the origins for Panerai, which returns to put its signature on two new and sophisticated Radiomir interpretations. A project developed in 1936 at the specific request of the Command of the 1st Submarine Group of the Regia Marina for raiding parties, a specialised diver's watch that has gone down in history, the Radiomir now returns as a protagonist, under the specifications California - 47 mm (PAM00931) and 8 Days - 45 mm (PAM00992). Capitalising on its past by paying tribute to an exhilarating, historically documented dimension is the task assigned to the Radiomir California - 47 mm (PAM00931), a highly emotionally amplified execution of the first Panerai model to be used during the war period. Strongly distinctive for a dial shaded in shades of brown, but unchanged for a proprietary visual language made up of binary minute track, Roman and Arabic numerals alternating with hour markers, and for the absence of any reference to the brand, a fundamental condition for an instrument, at the time, covered by military secrecy. It is historically consistent for the choice of adopting a Plexiglas crystal. In addition to steel hands, flame-blued at a controlled temperature of 290° to 300°, and a case in AISI 316L steel for the first time depositary of a finish invited to emulate the wearing effects of time. The latter details also contribute to the distinctly vintage identity of a Radiomir 8 Days - 45 mm (PAM00992), available exclusively in Panerai boutiques and equipped with a dial with a sandwich structure enhanced by the signature "patented 8 days". Decidedly designed to ideally evoke the brand's most heroic past, the new Radiomir watches share a latest-generation mechanism, composed of strictly hand-wound movements developed entirely in-house at the Panerai Manufacture in Neuchâtel. These calibres are extremely reliable, solid, right from their respective aesthetic configurations. Starting with the P.3000, chosen to meet the dimensional requirements of the Radiomir California - 47 mm (PAM00931), 16½ lines with 3 days' autonomy equipped with a double barrel in series, essential in posting the hours and minutes. Recognisable, in terms of structure, at least as much as the P.5000, 15½ lines with additional small seconds display, also with double barrel, called upon to technically support the Radiomir 8 Days - 45 mm (PAM00992). Unquestionably high-performance by virtue of an extended autonomy of up to 8 days. Water-resistant to 10 atmospheres (approx. 100 metres depth), the new Radiomir benefits from the aesthetic contribution of an oiled dark brown "Cuoio Toscano" calfskin strap with beige stitching, with vintage connotations, of Italian provenance and tanning, with a trapezoidal pin buckle forged in the same steel as the case.
