Panerai announces the launch of a fascinating reinterpretation of its iconic Radiomir model, the Radiomir Guido Panerai & Figlio, that draws inspiration from the legendary Angelus calibre found in the Ref. 3646 model from the 1960s. This collector’s timepiece will be offered for sale through a collaboration with the renowned Phillips auction house and their market leading Watch department in occasion of The Geneva Watch Auction: XVIII on November 3, 2023 in Geneva, with all proceeds, including the whole Phillips’ Buyer’s Premium, benefitting Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC-UNESCO).
“Our partnership with Panerai over the past two years has created heightened awareness about the ocean’s critical importance and the dire need for decisive interventions” says Vladimir Ryabinin, Executive Secretary of IOC-UNESCO. “Now the synergy between Phillips, an esteemed auction house, and Panerai, a brand with a profound maritime heritage, and their generous donation will support UNESCO’s action on Ocean Literacy. Through collective action in education and empowerment of youth, UNESCO and its Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission hope to harness innovative ocean-based solutions for a brighter and more sustainable future.”
“We are excited to collaborate with Phillips on the auction of our Radiomir Guido Panerai & Figlio timepiece,” says Jean-Marc Pontroué, CEO of Panerai. “This exclusive timepiece embodies a significant chapter of our storied heritage, breathing life into our past through the legendary Angelus calibre and celebrating our rich history. This initiative with Phillips, and its support to the UNESCO cause, reflects our commitment to continuously push boundaries. We are thrilled to see our history and technicity celebrated and embraced.”
Aurel Bacs, Senior Consultant & Alexandre Ghotbi, Head of Watches Europe and Middle East, Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo said: “We are honoured to offer this unique Panerai inspired by the brand’s beautiful vintage watches and featuring a vintage Angelus movement. We started speaking with Panerai close to two years ago and have had the pleasure of being part of each step in the creation of this timepiece and seeing it go from idea to a final physical object. For the past several years Phillips has been chosen by prestigious manufactures to auction prototypes and unique pieces that mark the history of contemporary watchmaking, and this unique Panerai is such a timepiece.”
In the sixties, while it was the supplier of the Italian Navy, Panerai created the self-luminous Radiomir watch Ref. 3646, which would later become known as one of its most iconic models, the Radiomir. A transitional model, the Ref. 3646 featured elements that would come to define the Panerai aesthetic. Notably, the modified wire lugs that were replaced with robust lugs, meticulously welded to the case, represent a true transformation of the historic 47mm case of Ref. 3646 made in Florence at the time.
Although this timepiece was powered by 16-line mechanical calibre, Panerai made the decision to adopt, starting from the GPF 2/56 model – The Egyptian 1956 – a calibre that ensured a lower frequency of recharges that favoured a longer lifespan of the water-resistance standard. This caliber was the Angelus SF 240. With its 8-day power reserve, the manual-wind Angelus 240 movement allowed the watch to run continuously without the need for winding for a duration of 8 days. Another creation ahead of its time is the transparent case back that offers a clear view of the watch’s mechanical heartbeat. It was a daring choice made by none other than Giuseppe Panerai himself, with the sole purpose of showcasing the movement’s impressive long power reserve.
The historical Angelus calibre, discovered in the Panerai archives, prompted the Maison to create the unrepeatable one-of-a-kind Radiomir Guido Panerai & Figlio, named in honour of the first model produced in the original Panerai Laboratory. At the heart of this unique timepiece lies a very rare historical example of the Angelus SF240 movement, with a Glucydur® balance wheel, the very same deployed in Panerai’s watches 62 years ago. A calibre, specifically built for G. Panerai e Figlio, whose manufacturing dates back to June 1961 as evidenced by the original engraving on the movement’s plate.
More than just a simple reproduction of the original, the exclusive timepiece is a celebration of Panerai heritage and history. Key features of this special edition watch include solid welded lugs, a sandwich dial, the Marina Militare logo, Officine Panerai inscription, gold colour hands, small seconds at the 9-hour mark, and a domed sapphire crystal. These particularities stand out as they are inspired by the form and aesthetics of the transitional model Ref. 3646, an important milestone of Panerai’s continuous innovation in improving its instruments to meet the ever-changing needs of the military.
The 47mm case is crafted from Panerai Platinumtech™, a Panerai material created to maintain platinum’s deep luster that is harder and significantly more resistant to scratching than traditional platinum.
The Radiomir Guido Panerai & Figlio also comes with made-in-Italy calf straps with Swiss-made screw trapezoidal white gold buckle. The second strap features a vintage construction that is longer in size with no taper and is crafted by Cuoierie Meccaniche Brelli, the original leather strap maker for the historical Officine Panerai. Adding a touch of versatility and a nod to historical authenticity, the timepiece comes with two case backs, one in modern see-through sapphire crystal and a second one in Plexiglas®, available upon request, as a homage to the original material.
This unique timepiece is presented in a packaging inspired by historic Panerai boxes, featuring a Radica wood exterior and an internal tray lined with black Alcantara. The box includes a storage space for the second vintage strap.
Panerai is partnering with the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC-UNESCO) since 2021 to develop ocean literacy activities as part of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030). The collaboration between IOC-UNESCO and Panerai focus on developing a program of work around ocean literacy to ensure that citizens, stakeholders, and institutions understand their interaction with the ocean and can use this knowledge to develop transformative solutions toward building a more sustainable and equitable society.
Radiomir Guido Panerai & Figlio Technical Specifications
Reference PAM01346
Movement
- Hand-wound mechanical, SF240 calibre, created by Angelus
- 16 1/4 lignes, 7 mm thick,
- Glucydur® balance, 18,000 alternations/hour.
- Incabloc® anti-shock device. One barrels.
- Functions: Hours, Minutes, Small Seconds
- Power Reserve: 8 days
Case
- Diameter 47mm,
- Panerai Platinumtech™.
- Panerai Platinumtech™ bezel.
- See through sapphire crystal and Platinum caseback.
- Sapphire crystal
- Waterproof: 5 bar (~50 metres)
Dial
- Black Sandwich dial with historical numbers 3/6/9/12 and indexes with SLN beige,
- White texts engraved at 6 and 12
Strap
- Vintage oiled brown calf strap 27/22, BA.
- White gold buckle.
Panerai
Founded in Florence in 1860 as a workshop, shop and subsequently school of watchmaking, for many decades Panerai supplied the Italian Navy and its specialist diving corps in particular with precision instruments.
The designs developed by Panerai in that time, including the Luminor and Radiomir, were covered by the Military Secrets Act for many years and were launched on the international market only after the brand was acquired by the Richemont Group in 1997.
Today Panerai develops and crafts its movements and watches at its Neuchâtel manufacture. The latter are a seamless melding of Italian design flair and history with Swiss horological expertise. Panerai watches are sold across the world through an exclusive network of distributors and Panerai boutiques.