Panerai: A unique piece packed with details

Panerai's 2023 collection will feature the Radiomir. The highlight is a unique piece named the Radiomir Guido Panerai & Figlio. The astonishing price is understandable, considering its exceptional level of perfection.

The Radiomir Guido Panerai & Figlio is a unique piece that reinterprets past models.

　Since joining the Richemont Group in 1997, Panerai has often revived masterpieces from the past. The 2023 reissue is the Radiomir Guido Panerai & Figlio. However, this is not a strict reissue, but rather a homage model that reinterprets past works.

　Manufactured in 1960, the Reference 3646 was a transitional model between the Radiomir and Luminor, with the lugs replaced by solid pieces, and the movement was changed from a 16-line pocket watch caliber (most of which were made by Rolex) to an 8-day Angelus Caliber SF240.

　This model has been reinterpreted by Radiomir Guido Panerai & Figlio. Thanks to the involvement of the discerning Aurel Bacs and Alexandre Ghotbi of Phillips, the work is given details that resemble those from the past. Take the lugs, for example. They have been intentionally left with gaps between them and the case, as if they were welded later. Perhaps replicating the processing techniques of the time, the tops of the case and lugs are seamlessly connected. This shape would have been achieved by grinding the top of the case after welding the lugs. The movement used is also the Cal. SF240, also manufactured in 1961.

　But this is still Panerai's latest offering: the case material has been changed from stainless steel to Panerai PlatinumTech, the polishing is clearly that of a luxury watch, and the crystal and caseback are now sapphire crystal instead of the plastic crystals of the 60s.

　The PAM01346 is packed with so much detail that it's almost annoying. Given its quality, it's no surprise that it fetched a winning bid of 355,600 Swiss francs. All proceeds were donated to the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO.