Panerai Releases First Annual Calendar Range
In a watch world where perpetual calendars tend to get all the praise, Panerai has expanded its sleeker Radiomir model's variants with new sizes, new dials and new complications, one of which includes an annual calendar model.
While Panerai has dabbled in perpetual calendars since introducing one in its Luminor collection roughly three years ago, the annual calendar compilcation is a new venture for the brand.
The first Radiomir prototype was produced in 1935 and was developed for the Royal Italian Navy, which saw its first service in 1938. The Panerai Radiomir Annual Calendar shares a close resemblance to the inaugural military specification model. However, where the 1938 model was utilitarian, the new iteration is more refined and luxurious.
The new Radiomir is presented in two variations, both housed in a 45mm cushion- shaped case that is water resistant up to 100 meters, with vintage style wire lugs, in both gold and platinum options, with a transparent sapphire crystal case back which gives visibility to the self- winding P. 9010/ AC calibre that powers the timepiece.
The platinum options are offered in a green sun-brushed dial with a dark brown alligator strap — a version that was introduced when the brand opened its Casa Panerai in Paris in December — and a sun-brushed burgundy shaded dial with a black hand-dyed matte alligator strap set in a Platinumtech case, a proprietary alloy developed by Panerai that is able to retain the same radiance as traditional platinum, while being more robust and scratch-resistant.
The second version comes in a blue sun- brushed dial that transitions from a light center to a darker gradient at the edges and a blue hand- dyed matt alligator strap, crafted from Goldtech, a gold alloy enriched by platinum and copper, for a reddish hue.
Available now for purchase, the green dial model is available exclusively at Panerai boutiques and will retail for $ 57,800, while the blue model with the gold case will sell for $ 39,200. Both models are limited to 200 pieces worldwide.