Officine Panerai presents the new Radiomir Platino - 47mm and Radiomir Oro Rosso - 47mm, two new and precious Special Editions, inspired for the first time by a rare Radiomir from the late 1930s. In the same years in which it was supplying the Italian Navy with watches destined for the underwater exploits of the incursors, the Panerai workshop in Florence made a number of Radiomir models equipped with a special dodecagonal bezel, engraved with the words "OFFICINE PANERAI - PATVETTATO". The presence of this engraving, referring to the patent for the Radiomir luminescent substance that later gave its name to the watch itself, suggests that these models were used not during wartime operations but only for presentation to the military authorities who were testing the new instruments. The new Radiomir faithfully reproduces the dodecagonal bezel of the historical models, but the engraving is only on the back side, around the sapphire crystal that allows a glimpse, as in the original model, of the movement. The case re-proposes the tripartite structure of the time, with the bezel and back screwed directly to the case middle: a construction that allowed the watch to be assembled more quickly and internal components to be replaced more easily when necessary. Made of platinum or red gold, the case has thin, removable wire lugs for changing the strap and a diameter of 47 mm, as in the original models. The vintage personality of the watch is reinforced by an unprecedented onion-shaped winding crown. As in every Panerai watch, the dial has an essential design that maximises clarity and legibility, thanks also to the elegant contrast between the dark brown and ecru of the luminescent substance interposed between the two superimposed plates that form the classic sandwich structure. The dial is framed by a satin-finished dodecagonal bezel, contrasting with the polished case, and is protected by a slightly domed Plexiglas crystal, as in the historical models. The OP XXVII calibre is developed on a Minerva 16-17 base, a hand-wound movement strongly linked to the history of the Florentine manufacture. The collaboration between Panerai and Minerva had certainly already begun in the 1920s, as testified by a 1927 invoice for the supply of two Minerva watches issued by the Orologeria Panerai to the Archbishopric of Florence. The collaboration included not only watches, but also timers for torpedoes and other explosive devices. The OP XXVII calibre, already used by Officine Panerai in other rare Special Editions for its high watchmaking quality, is distinguished by its balance with screws for manual adjustment, its balance spring with a Phillips terminal curve and its swan-neck precision adjustment system. Equipped with 18 jewels and screw-down bezels, it has bridges made of Maillechort, a nickel-silver alloy, and provides a 55-hour power reserve with a côtes de Genève finish. Identified by the references PAM00521 and PAM00522 (engraved between the lugs), the new Radiomir Platino and Radiomir Oro Rosso are made in limited editions of 100 each and are fitted with a brown alligator strap closed by a folding clasp in white gold and red gold respectively. Consistent with the original models from which they are inspired, they are water-resistant to about 50 metres.
Data Sheets
RADIOMIR PLATINUM - 47mm
Movement: Mechanical hand-wound, exclusive Panerai OP XXVII calibre, Minerva base 16-17, 16¾ lignes, 18 jewels, Glucydur balance, 18,000 vib/h. KIF Parechoc anti-shock device. Col de cygne system. 55-hour power reserve.
Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds.
Case: 47 mm diameter, in polished platinum. Customised OP screw-locked winding crown.
Bezel: In satin-finished platinum with polished edges.
Back: Sapphire crystal.
Dial: Brown with Arabic numerals and hour markers
luminescent. Seconds at 9 o'clock.
Glass: Plexiglas, 2.1 mm thick.
Water resistance: 5 bar (~50 metres).
Strap: Alligator strap and adjustable buckle in polished 18 ct white gold. Personalised PANERAI. Supplied with spare Plexiglas glass.
Reference: PAM00521.
RADIOMIR GOLD RED - 47mm
Movement: Mechanical hand-wound, exclusive Panerai OP XXVII calibre, Minerva base 16-17, 16¾ lignes, 18 jewels, Glucydur balance, 18,000 vib/h. KIF Parechoc anti-shock device. Col de cygne system. 55-hour power reserve.
Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds.
Case: 47 mm diameter, in polished 18 ct red gold. Customised OP screw-locked winding crown.
Bezel: In 18K satin-finished red gold with polished edges.
Back: Sapphire crystal.
Dial: Brown with Arabic numerals and hour markers
luminescent. Seconds at 9 o'clock.
Glass: Plexiglas, 2.1 mm thick.
Water resistance: 5 bar (~50 metres).
Strap: Alligator strap and adjustable buckle in polished 18 ct red gold. Personalised PANERAI. Supplied with spare Plexiglas glass.
Reference: PAM00522.
