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Panerai
A Florentine instrument maker that armed the Italian Navy's frogmen and then became a collector cult. Knockoff Watches Wholesale has covered the Luminor, the Radiomir and the Submersible since 2006.
198Stories published
1860Maison founded
4Current collections
Panerai is a watch manufacturer founded in Florence in 1860 by Giovanni Panerai, now headquartered in Neuchatel and owned by Richemont since 1997. Its principal collections are the Luminor, Radiomir, Submersible and Luminor Due. Panerai originally supplied diving instruments to the Royal Italian Navy, patenting the Radiomir luminous compound in 1916 and the tritium-based Luminor in 1949, and the cushion case with wire lugs and crown-protecting bridge remains its defining design. In-house calibres include the P.9010, P.900 and the eight-day P.2002.
PaneraiFounded 1860FlorenceRichemontLuminorRadiomirSubmersibleRoyal Italian NavySandwich Dial
The Collection
Luminor
Cushion case · 44mm
Cal. P.6000 / P.9010
Radiomir
Wire lugs · 45mm
Cal. P.6000
Submersible
Dive · 42-47mm
Cal. P.900 / P.9010
Luminor Due
Slim · 38-42mm
Cal. P.900 / P.6000
Latest Panerai Coverage
All 198 Stories ›
News
Road to Naples: Panerai Unveils Two New Luminor Luna Rossa Watches for the 2027 America’s Cup
News
An Urban Sports Watch Built for the Abyss: Meet Panerai’s Submersible Navy SEALs PAM01738
News
Introducing the Panerai Submersible GMT PAM01495 Just in Time For Summer
News
Panerai Unveils “The Depths of Time” Exhibition & Launches Luminor Marina Militare PAM05218
News
Introducing The New Panerai Submersible Marina Militare Timepieces
News
Panerai Unveils Two New Luminor Luna Rossa Watches for America’s Cup 2025
Milestones
1860
Giovanni Panerai opens a watch shop and workshop in Florence.
1916
Panerai patents Radiomir, the radium-based luminous compound used on naval instruments.
1949
Luminor is patented - a tritium compound that replaces radium on military dials.
1997
Richemont acquires Panerai and takes the military instrument maker to a civilian market.
Timely FAQs
What is a Panerai sandwich dial?
Two stacked dial plates with luminous material between them. The upper plate is pierced with numerals and markers so the glow comes from below rather than being painted on top - a construction Panerai used on its naval instruments and still uses today.
What is the difference between Luminor and Radiomir?
Case and lugs. The Radiomir has a cushion case with soldered wire lugs and a simple onion crown; the Luminor adds the patented crown-protecting lever bridge and wider integrated lugs. Radiomir is the 1930s design, Luminor the 1950s one.
Did Panerai really make watches for the Italian Navy?
Yes. Panerai supplied depth gauges, compasses and luminous dive watches to the Royal Italian Navy's commando frogmen from the 1930s, and its watches were classified military equipment until the brand went civilian in 1993.
Where can I read Panerai reviews from a watch publication?
Knockoff Watches Wholesale has published more than 110 Panerai stories since 2006, covering Submersible and Luminor launches, limited editions and the brand's ambassador projects.