The first chronograph made by Officine Panerai dates back to 1943, the year in which the prototype of the Mare Nostrum was presented to deck officers of the Italian Navy. This long experience lives on today in the wide range of Panerai chronographs, all with designs inspired by the models created in the thirties and forties and enhanced by technical content of high quality watchmaking, developed by the manufacture in Neuchâtel in a variety of calibres enabling enthusiasts to choose the functions best suited to stopping time in their own way: Chronograph, Chrono Flyback, Chrono Regatta Countdown, Chrono Monopulsante, Chrono Rattrapante. The 2014 collection includes new and exclusive chronographs which enhance Officine Panerai’s range in this chosen area of high quality sports watchmaking.
This year at the SIHH 2014, Officine Panerai presented three vintage inspired chronographs all cased in precious metal Radiomir cushion shaped cases measuring 45mm diameter, plexiglas and fitted with the manual wound OP XXV calibre, developed on a Minerva 13-22 base. The Minerva manufacture has had historic links with Panerai since the 1920s, when the Swiss manufacturer was a supplier to the Florentine watchmaker.
The Radiomir 1940 Chronograph Oro Rosso PAM 519 is available in a limited edition of a 100 pieces just like the white gold Radiomir Chronograph Oro Bianco PAM 520. The PAM 519 is fitted with a beautiful 18K red gold —oro rosso— case, a gorgeous tobacco brown California dial with ecru superluminova, a running seconds register at 9, a 30-minute chrono counter at 3 o'clock and a tachymeter scale, all round out by an elegant brown alligator strap with red gold adjustable buckle that makes this watch look just perfect. The watch just like the other two chronographs in the new collection is fitted with a display case back where the beautifully finished calibre is fully visible. A real treat for the eyes.
This beautiful watch is significantly lower priced when compared to the platinum version and in our opinion way more appealing. What can we say, we are suckers for tobacco brown dials perfectly contrasting against 18K red gold cases.
Sticker Price $58,500 USD. For more info on Panerai click here.
