Panerai announces the launch of the Radiomir Guido Panerai & Figlio, a collectible timepiece will be put up for sale in collaboration with the renowned auction house Phillips and its watch division, at “The Geneva Watch Auction: XVIII” , which will take place on November 3, 2023 in Geneva. All proceeds, including Phillips' entire buyer's premium, will be donated to the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC-UNESCO).

PANERAI and UNESCO, united for sustainability

Panerai has been collaborating with the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC-UNESCO) since 2021 to develop ocean literacy activities as part of the United Nations Decade of Marine Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030). The collaboration between IOC-UNESCO and Panerai aims to develop a work program on ocean literacy to ensure that citizens, stakeholders and institutions understand their interaction with the ocean and can use this knowledge to develop innovative solutions for build a more sustainable and equitable society.

The inspiration, the legendary Radiomir 3646

In the 60s, when it was a supplier to the Italian Navy, Panerai created the self-luminous Radiomir Ref. 3646 watch, which would later become one of its most iconic models, the Radiomir. A transitional model, the Ref. 3646 features elements that will define Panerai's aesthetic. In particular, the wire lugs modified and replaced by robust lugs, meticulously welded to the case, represent a real transformation of the historic 47 mm case of the Ref. 3646 produced in Florence at the time.

Although this timepiece was powered by a 16-ligne mechanical caliber, Panerai decided to adopt a caliber that allowed the watch to be wound less frequently, to ensure a longer duration of water resistance. That caliber was the Angelus SF 240. With an 8-day power reserve, the hand-wound Angelus 240 movement allowed the watch to run continuously without needing to be wound for 8 days. The historic Angelus caliber, found in the Panerai archives, pushed the Maison to create the unrepeatable Radiomir Guido Panerai & Figlio unique piece, named in honor of the first model produced in the original Panerai Laboratory.

The Panerai Guido Panerai & Son

The beating heart of this unique timepiece is a very rare historical example of the Angelus SF240 movement, with a Glucydur® balance, the same used in Panerai watches from 62 years ago. A caliber built specifically for G. Panerai and Figlio, whose production dates back to June 1961, as evidenced by the original engraving on the movement plate.

The 47 mm case is made of Panerai PlatinumtechTM, a material created by Panerai that retains the extraordinary shine of platinum, but is harder and significantly more resistant to scratches than traditional platinum. The main features of this special edition watch are the welded lugs, the sandwich dial, the Marina Militare logo, the Officine Panerai writing, the gold-colored hands, the small seconds at 9 o'clock and the domed sapphire crystal. These details are inspired by the shape and aesthetic of the transitional model Ref. 3646.

The Radiomir Guido Panerai & Figlio watch comes with Italian-made calfskin straps, complemented by a Swiss-made trapezoidal screw buckle in white gold. The second strap features a vintage structure, longer and maintaining the same width, made by Cuoierie Meccaniche BrelIi, the original manufacturer of leather straps for the historic Officine Panerai. To add a touch of versatility and a reference to the history of the brand, the timepiece is equipped with two casebacks, one in modern transparent sapphire crystal and a second in Plexiglas®, available upon request, in tribute to the original material of the vintage watch .

This exclusive timepiece is presented in a box inspired by historic Panerai boxes, featuring a briar wood exterior and an internal tray covered in black Alcantara fabric. The box also has a compartment for the second vintage strap.