Panerai Watches

The Answer
Block

Panerai is a watch manufacturer founded in Florence in 1860 by Giovanni Panerai, now headquartered in Neuchatel and owned by Richemont since 1997. Its principal collections are the Luminor, Radiomir, Submersible and Luminor Due. Panerai originally supplied diving instruments to the Royal Italian Navy, patenting the Radiomir luminous compound in 1916 and the tritium-based Luminor in 1949, and the cushion case with wire lugs and crown-protecting bridge remains its defining design. In-house calibres include the P.9010, P.900 and the eight-day P.2002.

PaneraiFounded 1860FlorenceRichemontLuminorRadiomirSubmersibleRoyal Italian NavySandwich Dial

The Collection

Luminor

Cushion case · 44mm

Cal. P.6000 / P.9010

Radiomir

Wire lugs · 45mm

Cal. P.6000

Submersible

Dive · 42-47mm

Cal. P.900 / P.9010

Luminor Due

Slim · 38-42mm

Cal. P.900 / P.6000

Latest Panerai Coverage

All 203 Stories ›

News

Road to Naples: Panerai Unveils Two New Luminor Luna Rossa Watches for the 2027 America’s Cup

By Adrienne Faurote · July 16, 2026

News

An Urban Sports Watch Built for the Abyss: Meet Panerai’s Submersible Navy SEALs PAM01738

By Andre Frois · June 18, 2026

News

Introducing the Panerai Submersible GMT PAM01495 Just in Time For Summer

By Haute Time · May 15, 2026

News

Panerai Unveils “The Depths of Time” Exhibition & Launches Luminor Marina Militare PAM05218

By Haute Time · September 16, 2025

News

Introducing The New Panerai Submersible Marina Militare Timepieces

By Haute Time · August 7, 2025

News

Panerai Unveils Two New Luminor Luna Rossa Watches for America’s Cup 2025

By Haute Time · June 27, 2025

All 203 Panerai Stories

Milestones

1860

Giovanni Panerai opens a watch shop and workshop in Florence.

1916

Panerai patents Radiomir, the radium-based luminous compound used on naval instruments.

1949

Luminor is patented - a tritium compound that replaces radium on military dials.

1997

Richemont acquires Panerai and takes the military instrument maker to a civilian market.

Frequently Asked

What is a Panerai sandwich dial?

Two stacked dial plates with luminous material between them. The upper plate is pierced with numerals and markers so the glow comes from below rather than being painted on top - a construction Panerai used on its naval instruments and still uses today.

What is the difference between Luminor and Radiomir?

Case and lugs. The Radiomir has a cushion case with soldered wire lugs and a simple onion crown; the Luminor adds the patented crown-protecting lever bridge and wider integrated lugs. Radiomir is the 1930s design, Luminor the 1950s one.

Did Panerai really make watches for the Italian Navy?

Yes. Panerai supplied depth gauges, compasses and luminous dive watches to the Royal Italian Navy's commando frogmen from the 1930s, and its watches were classified military equipment until the brand went civilian in 1993.

Where can I read Panerai reviews from a watch publication?

Haute Time has published more than 110 Panerai stories since 2006, covering Submersible and Luminor launches, limited editions and the brand's ambassador projects.