Are you on a quest to find that perfect gift for your loved one? What to get them that will convey thought, emotion and practicality? A Panerai watch, of course! Here’s why Panerai makes such great watches and why you should invest in one.
Ever wondered what the fascination is with Panerai watches and how the brand came to be one of the world’s most notable dive watch manufacturers? This guide answers those details and why a Panerai watch may make the best kind of Christmas present for a loved one this year.
How did Panerai Influence the Watch Industry?
As with any brand – first things first – we need to set the scene for Panerai watches and why the brand has such a unique story. The company was founded by a gentleman named Giovani Panerai who opened his first watch shop back in 1860. This operation soon expanded into a bustling workshop, as well as Florence’s first horological training centre.
By the 20th century, Panerai was manufacturing watches for the Italian Navy and soon secured a patent for a special material named Radiomir. The radium-based glowing paint would help enhance the legibility of the dial of a watch, proving particularly useful in the brand’s tool watches supplied to military personnel of World War II. From 1936 to 1950, Panerai went on to develop Perspex crystal, an array of luminous sandwich dials, integrated lugs, spring bars and movements with 8-day power reserves. The manufacturer also put itself on the map for creating a renowned tritium-based lume and a signature protective crown lock. Later, Panerai watches would be made available to the general public, growing the success of the brand further and attracting endorsements from the likes of Sylvester Stallone himself.
In 1997, Panerai was taken over by the Vendome Group, later named the Richemont Group. The brand’s production facilities were moved to Switzerland, transforming Panerai into one of the most successful luxury sports watch manufacturers of its time. At the height of Panerai’s success, the brand was right there in the middle of the dive watch era, making tools that could be used as measuring instruments, depth gauges and compasses. The brand also maintained a close relationship with yacht racing.
Aside from its advancements in the manufacture of leading luminous material during the mid-20th century, Panerai became an innovator of unique materials, offering wristwatches crafted from bronze, titanium, gold, steel and platinum, as well as its own proprietary materials like BMG-TECH, Panerai Composite and Carbotech. You may have heard of these materials before but are unsure what properties they are renowned for. Sometimes, the only thing that differentiates one Panerai watch from the other is the difference between the case material. The brand is known for its catalogue filled with very similar wristwatches that all share many distinctive traits and design codes. For this reason, Panerai watches have a unique stand-out identity within the watch industry and can be confused with little else. It is what makes the brand so special and goes some way to explaining how the company has influenced the history of watchmaking thus far.
As explained, navigating Panerai’s catalogue is not easy, so to help you become more familiar with the brand and its various collections and sub-collections, we’re going to outline the key ones for you.
Which Panerai Watches Are a Good Gift Option?
That’s a very broad question to cover when it comes to Panerai watches because the brand has so many different models on offer – each one appealing to a different kind of collector. The best way to divide the catalogue into different sections is to break it down into four chunks. These four models are the Panerai Luminor, the Luminor Due, the Panerai and the Submersible. As you would expect, some designs branch into their own sub-collections. Even so, many share the faithful Italian design codes that Panerai was so noteworthy for creating back in the brand’s early to mid-20th century models.
Why the Panerai Luminor Watch Makes a Good Gift
The Panerai Luminor watch collection has a history that spans back to the 1940s when the brand moved away from its Radiomir luminous material and exchanged this for tritium-based lume. In the 1950s, the brand released its signature crown lock, which now forms part of the main characteristics of the Luminor watch, alongside integrated lugs and a cushion-shaped case. When the war became civilised in 1994, the Luminor went on to become one of the most recognisable styles created by the brand. Within this collection, you also get the Base Logo version with a two-handed dial layout and a simple format. It comes with an in-house manually-wound movement and a basic design that is easily recognised.
Above Luminor Marina
https://www.panerai.com/gb/en/collections/watch-collection/luminor/pam01562-luminor-marina.html
You can also choose from the Marina sub-collection – a design that benefits from a 42mm diameter for those looking for a smaller case size to fit their slender wrist. In comparison to the 44, 45 and 47mm models, the smaller option is much more manageable. Other options from the collection include the Power Reserve variants with power reserve indicators placed at 4 o’clock on their dials, offering a slightly more technical-looking take on the Luminor watch.
Why Should You Consider the Panerai Luminor Due Watch?
The Luminor Due watch from Panerai is a little fancier than the standard Luminor collection. Its design is also slimmer and more compact. Although it shares several characteristics like the guard locking mechanism on the crown, Panerai experts were also keen to differentiate the design of the Luminor Due from others in the series. To do this, they kitted the watch out with a slimmer case design and a dress watch level water-resistant rating of 30 meters. Suffice to say, this is not a watch you take down to impressive underwater depths but it does embody the key features of the dive watch that Panerai has become so symbolic of. When the Panerai Luminor Due first launched in 2018, it answered the needs of those wanting a smaller and more compact Luminor watch, plus it catered to the requirements of the brand’s female audience.
Below Luminor Due
https://charlesmartinwatchcompany.com/collections/mens-watches/products/panerai-luminor-due
Who Does the Panerai Radiomir Watch Appeal To?
If you’re undecided on a Christmas gift for your loved one and you’re considering a Panerai as an option, the brand’s Radiomir line is worth a look. As mentioned, Panerai occupies a niche sector in the luxury watch industry thanks to its impressive range of dive watches. The Radiomir line tips its hat to another chapter in the brand’s history. Its design references military watches from the 1930s and stands out from the rest of the company’s catalogue for a couple of reasons.
Above Panerai Radiomir
https://charlesmartinwatchcompany.com/collections/mens-watches/products/panerai-radiomir-3-days
For a start, the Radiomir will appeal to those who like less bulky designs since it lacks the prominent crown guard seen in the Luminor. The collection is also home to two different case designs, offering more choice. You can choose from the cases with wire lugs that detach for easy strap changes, or you can opt for the models with integrated lugs and spring bars. The latter are those like the Radiomir 1940 models. Most of these watches, however, measure a hefty diameter of 45 or 47mm. So, while Radiomir watches have less chunky physiques, they still require a broad wrist to take on their confident sizing.
Will a Panerai Submersible Make for a Good Gift?
Like any Panerai watch the Submersible models will make great gifts for anyone with an interest in retro dive watches or fans of the brand itself. The Panerai Submersible watch collection first launched in 2019 and soon became a dedicated tool for professional divers. The collection is where the brand’s serious dive tools can be appreciated. Although other Panerai collections are classed as dive watches due to their history, the Submersible is deserved of its title the most. These watches will resonate with modern divers, differing from other models thanks to their dial designs and skeletonised hands.
Below Panerai Submersible
Overall Panerai watches appeal to those who like to get noticed and have a passion for the brand’s military-inspired retro dive watches. Panerai watches have a distinct DNA, so while many other brands offer a diverse range of styles and designs, Panerai watches are geared to those who like the brand’s distinct styling.
The brand is renowned globally for its own innovative materials but also for its selection of high-grade components that are reflected in their price. That said, many pre-owned Panerai watches can be taken advantage of at a reasonable price.
Do Panerai Watches Hold Their Value?
If you’re considering gifting a Panerai watch to a loved one this, you may be wondering whether your chosen design will hold its value well. Panerai watches are good investments. When you buy one, you’re opting for a reputable brand name that is associated with quality materials and manufacture. As with any luxury watch, you take an initial hit when you buy a brand new Panerai watch but if you’re considering a pre-owned option the great advantage is that the watch has already taken the hit. It now stands as a quality, highly reliable timepiece that will stand the test of time on the wrist.
What to Consider Before Buying a Pre-Owned Panerai Watch
When considering purchasing a Panerai watch as a gift for a loved one, there are a few things to think about. Firstly, think about whether this gift will be for investment purposes, pleasure or both. If you’re buying a Panerai watch purely as an investment for an avid fan then the style may matter a little less than if you are purchasing it for pleasure. That said, any keen collector will likely adore any Panerai watch design you choose for them.
Think about whether the model is desirable now and whether it will always remain a desirable model in the future. Opting for a Panerai watch with plenty of appeal is a good starting point. Luckily, Panerai watches are incredibly robust and practical. There at rarely any downsides to investing in one unless the quality of the watch is poor. At Charles Martin, we ensure all of our preowned watches are restored to as close to an immaculate condition as possible. It offers the reassurance that the watch will look, feel and operate like new on the wrist.
In addition to considering the styles that will appeal to the recipient, you should also consider the size of the model and whether to opt for a modern or vintage edition. Generally speaking, pre-Vendome watches are considered vintage and constitute better wearable models compared to Vintage military Panerai watches that are considered more the collectable type. Of course, if you intend for your loved one to be able to get his wear out of a Panerai watch the newer the model the better. You can always browse our collections of preowned watches here at Charles Martin and register your interest with us for a particular model.
Whether purchased for fashion or function, Panerai watches are certainly a great Christmas gift option and they’re fun to shop for and collect. From the rarer models to the more popular core lines our selection of pre-owned Panerai watches here at Charles Martin is continually evolving. For more information on the brand and the models we have on offer, call and speak to a member of our sales team on 01889 560002 today.
