Panerai Launches Radiomir Marina Militare Acciaio

...Panerai Super-Coolness...

It Finally Happened!!!

Panerai Launches Marina Militare Acciaio

PAM00587 47MM Unique Edition of 1000 Units

It is hard to believe, but after all these years of waiting, Panerai finally brought the watch to life which was known as the "Small Egiziano" which was know in vintage Panerai parlance by its reference number of Reference 6154. The only challenge with this watch is that Panerai is only making 1000 units. Panerai has named this model the PAM00587, and you can learn more about it on Panerai.com.

This Italian beauty has all the vintage characteristics including a plexiglass crystal, and from what I can tell it appears to basically be a PAM00372 without the trademark Panerai half-crescent crown guard, and with a Marina Militare dial designation instead of a Luminor Panerai. It also features sharper pencil hands, which differ from the PAM 372 hands.

The original vintage version of this watch had a Rolex winding crown that featured the Rolex five finger crown logo, and this one has the modern Panerai OP logo, etched in the winding crown and it looks superb!!! In the photo below, we get a superb view of the sandwich dial, as well as seeing how beautifully etched the "MARINA MILITARE" designation is etched into the dial. It is this subtle level of detail that give these watches their amazing mojo...This is high-design, that is magnificently subtle...

This watch design is highly authentic, and if you look at the photo of me on the right side of this page, and click on it to see it better, I am actually wearing the exact vintage Panerai this watch is based upon, which is a Rolex made Reference 6152/1 with the Marina Militare dial designation.



Panerai's choice of the dark chocolate natural strap was superb. This gives the watch a serious vintage vibe that plays beautifully off the base dial.




Panerai formally introduced this watch at the Watches & Wonders trade-show in Hong Kong, which is now the sister trade-show to SIHH, which occurs annually in Geneva. The Watches & Wonders show is relatively new, but the idea is that it it allows Panerai and all other Richemont brands the ability to not have to introduce all of their new models annually at SIHH. Instead the can divide it up, and Watches & Wonders is focused more on the Eastern market, whereas SIHH is focused more on the Western Market. I covered this years SIHH trade-show live from Geneva, Switzerland and tie was absolutely fascinating.

To a large extent, the beauty of this model, as witnessed in the photo below, which gives us a slightly off-angle front view, is that it really shows off the beautiful symmetry and balance of the cushion case. This watch is such a Winner!!! The more I look at it, the more in awe I become!!! THIS is the real Panerai DNA that give Panerai is pure magic...

In The Flesh

Below is a photo of the actual PAM 587 in the flesh, which was taken recently.

Design Analysis

Inevitably Paneristi will compare the new limited edition PAM00587 with the existing standard edition Panerai PAM00372. From what I can tell from analyzing the photos, the bodies are extremely similar, with the difference of the lugs being beefier on the 587, as well as the crown-gaurd v. the big 8mm crown. As I mentioned earlier, the hands on the PAM 587 are different, and a not only arguably more authentic but better in design. Specifically, some people have argued that the hands on the PAM 372 are too short, especially compared to the hands on the vintage Panerai Reference 6152 it is based upon. The the hands on the 587, are not only longer, but also sharper looking, which synergies perfectly with the late Art-Deco Populuxe design style of the dial and case, which reeks of 1950s masculine style. 

The 587 also looks sharper, cleaner, longer and leaner, simpler, more streamlined, and less chunky than its sibling 387. In my opinion, the PAM 587 is a pure and absolute Minimalist Masterpiece, and it looks less affected, contrived, and obvious than the 372. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE the 372, and wear one, but the 587 is an example of less, really being more. The 372 is more Sylvester Stallone/Rambo, and the 587 is more Cary Grant/James Bond.

"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." 
–Leonardo da Vinci

So what does this mean? As much as I love my PAM00372, I still am crazy about the PAM00587!!! It is so weird how similar they are, but how different they are at the same time!!! There is kind of a Yin/Yang balance between the two vintage Panerai styles, that is almost kind of Zen-like, to mix metaphors ;-)

The suggested retail price for the 587 is $10,100.

In order to properly contextualize the significance of the advent of this new model, I decided to add some previously published material that originally appeared on Jake's Panerai World in a little over a year ago in August, 2013. This next story covers the model the Panerai PAM00587 is based upon. At the end of the story I will add another side by side comparison.

"History doesn't repeat itself, but it does rhyme." 

–Mark Twain

Let's begin with a side by side comparison of the original vintage Panerai next to the new model. On the left we have the Reference 6152/1 next to the modern PAM00587. Obviously the PAM387 has a stunningly warm and beautiful dial and hand color combination. Some people say they think that giving new watches a more patina'd look is inauthentic, but I could not disagree more. I think it is like a beautiful suntan. 

Notice the PAM 587 "MARINA MILITARE" dial designation uses a slightly larger font, which makes it  just a tad bit more legible. On the 6152/1 on the left, we see the "M" in "Marina" is to the right of the 11 baton marker, and on the PAM 587 ins is definitely further over to the left. Also, the 587 "MARINA MILITARE" dial designation is etched into the sandwich dial, and it is colored similarly to the ecru lume and gold hands. Ironically, the original 6152 has  the hands found of a modern PAM 372, but I like the sharper pencil hands on the new PAM 587. 

In my mind, the objective of Panerai today is not to make reproductions of vintage Panerai watches, but to take the best characteristics of their design features, and to present them as beautifully as they can. Ironically, as much as I like the original vintage 6152, I prefer the look of the new 587...

In my personal opinion, Panerai has done an excellent job with the design of this beautiful vintage inspired new limited edition model!!!

Anatomy Of A Vintage Panerai

MARINA MILITARE

Reference 6152/1 Made in the 1940s

17 Jewel Rolex Movement with 8MM Rolex Brevet Crown

Today we are going to closely examine a stunningly beautiful vintage Panerai that was made in the late 1940s for the Italian Royal Navy. This watch has the Italian Royal Navy designation on the Dial which reads: "MARINA MILITARE." In case you are not familiar with the vintage Panerai watches with the "MARINA MILITARE" designation on the dial, they were made for the Italian Royal Navy, and lack any kind of "Panerai" designation on the entire watch. In other words, this watch is 100% pure Panerai, it just does not say so on the watch.

All the photos in this article were taken by Matthew Bain, and they showcase a very, very rare vintage Panerai model which has a "MM" engraving on the back, with a military issue number.

It appears that all the parts on this watch are original. Notice the hands have an interesting patina where they have oxidized over time and the hour hand almost has a sunburst pattern on it. This watch has the serial number 124XXX engraved between the top lugs, and the 6152 1 Reference number engraved between the lower lugs.

The photos below show this beauty from both side views of the case. The first image below shows the 8MM Rolex BREVET winding crown. Keep in mind that Rolex made this watch  for Panerai, which explains why the winding crown has the Rolex five-finger hand winding crown.

From a design perspective, this watch is outrageously beautiful in its simplicity. The 1940s watch case was super-streamlined in every way, yet very masculine. The case is almost identical to the 6152 which has the "Tight Seal Device", but it has the Rolex Brevet winding crown instead.

In my personal opinion, the only vintage Panerai watch ever made, that is more beautiful that this, is the super-iconic Radiomir Panerai Reference 6154 "Small Egiziano" which was made for the Egyptian Navy. The Panerai 6152/1 and the Panerai 6154 are remarkably similar in case design, but the 6154 is skinnier and even more streamlined that the 6152/1.

The photo below shows the 12 sided case-back which has the original Italian Royal Navy Military Issue Number engraving which reads "S.M.Z" on the first line, and "M.M. 103" on the bottom.

The next image below shows the Panerai 6152/1 with the case-back removed, and it appears to have a movement cover which may have been designed to improve anti-magnetic performance.

In the next photo below, we see the 17 Ruby Mechanical Rolex Movement, which is remarkably simple, sturdy, accurate, and durable.

Pictured below we see the inside of the screw-out case back, which has twelve sides. Notice inside is says "Montres Rolex S.A., Geneva, Switzerland, Patented. Stainless Steel. Swiss Made. 6152 1.

One of the most interesting details that sets every single vintage Panerai apart, is how different the patina is, both on the dial and the hands. The unique patina on everywatch is unique and almost like a fingerprint.  This particular watch lume has not darkened or changed very much. The Arabic numeral markers are still bright white, which give the watch a precise, fresh look. The hands also look really cool.

Panerai Marina Militare

Reference 6152-1: 47mm

If you wonder what I look like, here is a photo of me wearing an original Rolex made Panerai 6152-1 with the Marina Militare dial. This watch was made in the late 1940 or early 1950s an is one of my absolute favorite Panerai watches of all time. As previously mentioned if you look closely it has the Marina Militare dial designation as is the model the new PAM00587 is based upon. So just to be crystal-clear, the watch I am wearing in the photo below is NOT the new PAM00587, but the Original vintage Panerai Reference 6152-1, which the PAM 587 is modeled after.

One of the most interesting things about all the vintage Panerai models is how each one has developed a unique patina, as see in contrasting the different version as seen above and below. The one above has greenish lume, and the one below has very white lume, and the hands look like they have have some radium burn or tarnishing.

Historic Panerai Luminor PAM00372 v. Vintage Panerai 6152-1

Panerai Comparative Analyses

Historic Panerai Luminor PAM00372 

v. 

Vintage Panerai 6152-1

As you know, I have been working on a super-detailed review of the recently released Panerai PAM00372, which today is considered one of the most historically accurate contemporary Panerai watch models. We begin with examining a photo taken by Ben Jones comparing an original vintage 1955 Luminor Panerai 6152-1 next to a Historic Panerai PAM00372 sold in 2012.

A Grandfather next to his Grandson

Just to be clear, the watch pictured above on the left is a vintage Panerai Reference 6152-1 which was made 58 years ago in 1955, and was an Italian Royal Navy military secret, and was never made available to the public.  The watch pictured on the right is a currently available to the public and it is a Panerai Luminor model named the HISTORIC LUMINOR PANERAI 1950 3 DAYS, 

At first glance the watches almost look identical, but when you drill down into the details, we can see many differences.  The PAM 372 has tan lume on the classic 3, 6, 9 and 12 Markers, as well as on the eight straight 5 minute markers, as well as on the hands. I like to think of the tan hands and markers as the watch having a beautiful bronze suntan. Contrast this with the vintage 6152-1 having mint-green lume. Obviously, the PAM 372 has a more antique looking patina, which is stunningly beautiful.

Angelo P, took these first three photos of a new Historic Panerai Luminor next to its archetypical father, the venerable Vintage Panerai 6152-1. 

As we can see in the photo below, the PAM00372 is much shorter,  trimmer and more streamlined at 16.4MM tall, than its father, the Panerai 6152-1, which is pictured on the right side at a whopping 19.1MM tall. Obviously the 6152-1 has way thicker lugs, and a much thicker case back, as well as a much taller and more curved or convexed crystal.

An obvious question, is why doesn't Panerai make a watch identical in every way to the original 6152-1? Who knows, maybe one day, the will? My best guess is that Panerai tried to make the PAM 372 more comfortable and more universally appealing. 

Also, for many people that are used to wearing watches that are between 34MM and 40MM, jumping up to a now standard 44MM Panerai is quite a change at first, and takes some getting used to. Even going from 44MM to 47MM, seems like a big jump at first, but once you get used to the 47MM, at least in my mind, the 44MM watches seem almost too small.

As a designer, I am am fascinated with details, and I can only speculate about why Panerai made the watch skinnier, and when I do, Ancient 18th Century Japanese Zen Haiku poet, Matsuo Basho's famous notion comes to mind, where he famously wrote: "We do not seek to imitate the masters; rather we seek what they sought." In other words, it appears that Panerai today seeks to further improve upon the magnificently timeless 1950s design language.

Marina Militare 6152/1 Comparison

Ryan took these superb photos of his Panerai Marina Militare Reference 6152/1 next to his Panerai PAM00372. If you are not familiar with the Marina Militare dial designation, is was simply another dial designation put on some of their dials instead of Luminor Panerai, or Radiomir Panerai. In other words, the watch below with the Marina Militare dial designation is identical in every way to the 6152-1 pictured above, it just has a different inscription of its dial.

In the photo below you can see the Rolex movement which is a Caliber 618 (Type 4), and notice the "BREV. ITAL." engraving on the back of the Tight Seal Crown Guard protector. "BREV" stands for Brevet, which means "Patented". This watch was made in 1953. Ironically, this engraving inspired Panerai to engrave the "REG. T.M." engraving on the opposite topside of the PAM00372.

Anatomy Of A Vintage Panerai MARINA MILITARE...

Anatomy Of A Vintage Panerai

MARINA MILITARE

Reference 6152/1 Made in the 1940s

17 Jewel Rolex Movement with 8MM Rolex Brevet Crown

Today we are going to closely examine a stunningly beautiful vintage Panerai that was made in the late 1940s for the Italian Royal Navy. This watch has the Italian Royal Navy designation on the Dial which reads: "MARINA MILITARE." In case you are not familiar with the vintage Panerai watches with the "MARINA MILITARE" designation on the dial, they were made for the Italian Royal Navy, and lack any kind of "Panerai" designation on the entire watch. In other words, this watch is 100% pure Panerai, it just does not say so on the watch.

All the photos in this article were taken by Matthew Bain, and they showcase a very, very rare vintage Panerai model which has a "MM" engraving on the back, with a military issue number.

It appears that all the parts on this watch are original. Notice the hands have an interesting patina where they have oxidized over time and the hour hand almost has a sunburst pattern on it. This watch has the serial number 124XXX engraved between the top lugs, and the 6152 1 Reference number engraved between the lower lugs.

The photos below show this beauty from both side views of the case. The first image below shows the 8MM Rolex BREVET winding crown. Keep in mind that Rolex made this watch  for Panerai, which explains why the winding crown has the Rolex five-finger hand winding crown.

From a design perspective, this watch is outrageously beautiful in its simplicity. The 1940s watch case was super-streamlined in every way, yet very masculine. The case is almost identical to the 6152 which has the "Tight Seal Device", but it has the Rolex Brevet winding crown instead.

In my personal opinion, the only vintage Panerai watch ever made, that is more beautiful that this, is the super-iconic Radiomir Panerai Reference 6154 "Small Egiziano" which was made for the Egyptian Navy. The Panerai 6152/1 and the Panerai 6154 are remarkably similar in case design, but the 6154 is skinnier and even more streamlined that the 6152/1.

The photo below shows the 12 sided case-back which has the original Italian Royal Navy Military Issue Number engraving which reads "S.M.Z" on the first line, and "M.M. 103" on the bottom.

The next image below shows the Panerai 6152/1 with the case-back removed, and it appears to have a movement cover which may have been designed to improve anti-magnetic performance.

In the next photo below, we see the 17 Ruby Mechanical Rolex Movement, which is remarkably simple, sturdy, accurate, and durable.

Pictured below we see the inside of the screw-out case back, which has twelve sides. Notice inside is says "Montres Rolex S.A., Geneva, Switzerland, Patented. Stainless Steel. Swiss Made. 6152 1.

One of the most interesting details that sets every single vintage Panerai apart, is how different the patina is, both on the dial and the hands. The unique patina on everywatch is unique and almost like a fingerprint.  This particular watch lume has not darkened or changed very much. The Arabic numeral markers are still bright white, which give the watch a precise, fresh look. The hans also look really cool.

Luminor Panerai 47MM Reference 6152-1

Luminor Panerai

47MM Reference 6152-1

This stunning original Luminor Panerai [Reference 6152-1] was produced in the late 1950s for the Italian Royal Navy, and it was auctioned by Antiquorum in September of 2005 in New York for only $59,800. Today it is worth at least $150,000. The beauty of this watch model lays in its absolute simplicity. Panerai watches that only have an hour and second hand are typically referred to as a Base Panerai model–as in, Basic.

The Aniquorum description was fascinating. It read:

"Luminor” Officine Panerai, “Luminor”, Ref. 6152-1. Made in the late 1950s for the Italian Navy. Fine and very rare, large, cushion-shaped, water-resistant, stainless steel military diver’s wristwatch with Panerai buckle.

Signed Rolex, three-body, polished and brushed, screwed-down case back, straight lugs, winding-crown with security lever, anti-magnetic dust-cap. D. Two plate; black upper plate with pierced Arabic numerals and indexes over a luminous-coated lower plate. Radium-coated "bâton" hands. M. Cal. 15 3/4''', signed Rolex, rhodiumplated, "fausses côtes" decoration, 15 jewels, straight line lever escapement, monometallic balance, self-compensating Breguet balance-spring. Dial signed Panerai; case and movement signed Rolex. Dim. 47 x 47 mm. Thickness 18 mm.

Anselmo Grimoldi : Has worked in the field of horology for over 50 years with an enormous amount of passion, curiosity and dedication. He has recently launched his own brand of watches and jewellery bearing the name “Grimoldi”. In the early 1980s he was introduced to a former military man Dr. Rossi who told him the story of the unique instrument maker that is The Officine Panerai. This story fascinated him and led to his spending the next 25 years searching for the elusive original models made for the naval commandos of the Italian navy as well as the commandos of other Mediterranean Navies. 

This impressive collection comprises examples of all of the various types made utilizing both Rolex and Angelus movements including the “Egyptian Commando” and the only example of a vintage left handed Panerai. Anselmo Grimoldi's belief in this brand lead to him approching 3 admirals when they took control of The Officine Panerai to negotiate the sole distrubution rights for Milan which they granted him. Later when the company was bought by the Richemont group he and his close friend Angelo Bonati who took over the day to day operations of the company, and often askes Grimaldi his oppinion as a world renowned expert on the brand. 

When asked what he felt about selling his collection he said “ I feel sad to separate myself from my collection, however thanks to the devotion and expertise of the team at Antiquorum, I am sure they will find new homes with other passionate collectors such as myself who are on a constant search for these exceptionally rare watches with a story as unique and original as their design.”

Panerai Marina Militare Reference 6152-1

Panerai Marina Militare

Reference 6152-1: 47mm

If you wonder what I look like, here is a photo of me wearing an original Rolex made Panerai 6152-1 with the Marina Militare dial. This watch was made in the 1950s an is one of my absolute favorite Panerai watches of all time.