Panerai

Officine Panerai, a storied Italian watchmaker that in recent years has emerged as one of the most sought-after brands in the industry derives much of its legacy from its historical role as the official supplier of the Royal Italian Navy. The brand's military pedigree is reflected in the understated elegance of its austere black faces and luminous Arabic numerals and sticks that make Panerai one of the most iconic brands on the luxury market today. In the first decades of the 20th century Panerai began experimenting intensively with luminous materials in an effort to make instrument dials, sights, and telescopic devices that could be employed reliably in the dark. The Panerai Radiomir first gained the attention of watch enthusiasts during the Second World War as a result of its association with the audacious operations being carried out by Italian divers in the Mediterranean. Panerai's wrist watches were reserved exclusively for military clients until the end of the 1980s. Although Panerai began selling directly to the public in the early 1990s, With its distinctive aesthetic identity, compelling historical legacy, and reputation as a brand favored by sophisticated aficionados it is little wonder that the ranks of Paneristi have grown so dramatically around the world.