Radiomir Panerai Tribute To Paneristi Russia

Note: This story is still very much a work in progress, and I plan to continue updating it significantly. When the story is complete, I will remove this notice.

From Russia With Love!!!

...Exclusive First Look...

★ALL-NEW PANERAI★

Radiomir Panerai

Tribute To Paneristi Russia

1940s 47MM Case PAM00622

Again, I am stunned!!!! Panerai is so full of surprises lately!!! They just introduced a super-limited edition Radiomir Panerai and only made 60 of them. This watch was made exclusively for the Russian market and is only available through the Panerai Boutique in Moscow, Russia. This model appears to be based upon the Rolex made Reference 6154 Radiomir, and is the very first example Panerai has made of this magnificent design.

Keep in mind Panerai just surprised us with the introduction of the PAM00587, which is based upon the Rolex Made Vintage Panerai Reference 6152, and now they stun us with this model based which appears to be based upon the Rolex Made Vintage Panerai Reference 6154, which has been nicknamed as "The Small Egiziano." 

Some Preliminary Observations:

• The watch has a sapphire crystal v. a plexiglass crystal. Of course the vintage Panerai Reference 6154 had a plexiglass crystal. This stops this model from being 100% historically accurate. Contrast this with the all-new PAM00587, which has a plexiglass crystal that make it look more vintage. There are some advantages to having a sapphire crystal: For instance, it is scratch-proof. The general consensus is that plexiglass offers a warmer look.

PAM 622 v. PAM 587

I put together the graphic below to illustrate all the subtle differences between the PAM 622 and the PAM 587. It is amazing how similar yet different they look from the front view, yet their side profiles, which we can't see yet are very different.

• The "RADIOMIR PANERAI" dial designation uses a smaller font than on the original vintage, which slightly throws off the look of the dial and stops it from looking 100% vintage/authentic. In other words, it gives it a more modern look, which takes away from the otherwise vintage beauty.

• I am not crazy about the strap that it come on. I think it would be better if it had a strap like on the 372 or 587, which are both 4MM thick throughout. Instead the strap is padded in the middle. I have to see the watch in person, but his is just my initial impression.

• Has the double bar hour hand, which looks awesome, but never appeared on a Reference 6154, that I am aware of.

• I was really surprised to learn Panerai only made 60 units in this limited edition, but at the same time it doesn't surprise me, since Angelo Bonati and his team are so great at strategic marketing. I don't think it is a coincidence with the timing of this coming directly after the PAM00587 sold out internationally. 

• I was also surprised that this model was launched in Moscow, as a "Tribute To Paneristi Russia". I know there are many, many passionate and loyal Panerai fans in Russia, and I am so happy for the select small group who had the chance to acquire what is arguably the coolest modern Panerai. I say this, because in my personal opinion, the Reference 6154 it is based upon is the coolest Panerai ever made!!!

• The "Swiss Made" designation on the bottom of the dial looks weird, as it is split between both sides of the "6" marker, and reads:

 "L SWISS 6 MADE L"

I believe this is historically inaccurate, as no Radiomir ever had that designation, nor did any vintage Panerai. This detail kind of throws off the dial just a little.

• My initial impression is that this watch is an absolute stunner. I would probably rate it at 97%, which is the same as my rating for the PAM00587. If the watch did not have the details I mentioned above, I probably would have given it a higher score. My best guess is that Panerai will likely launch a true 6154-like Reference at SIHH, or sometime in the future, that will be 100%. Just to be clear, even though I took away several points for the detail mentioned above, I think the overall shape of this watch is probably better than the PAM00587, since it is so much more streamlined and lower in profile due to the much lower crystal height. Would I prefer this watch over a PAM 587? Hard to say. It might be six of one, and a dozen of the other, and without seeing them side by side, I can't say for sure. My gut tells me I would rater have the PAM00622, because it is closer to the 6154. If this does not make sense, it should after you read the article below I wrote about the PAM00587.

I will be expanding this article as new information and photos come in!!!!! One thing is for certain, and that is Panerai seems to be moving full-spear ahead with the awesome 1940s case design...

1954 Cream Dial Small Egiziano

A Stunning Bleach Blond Beauty

1954 Cream Dial Panerai Small Egiziano

Auctioned for $326,000

47MM Reference 6154 

Earlier today, Christies Auction house auctioned a very rare stainless steel Cushion-shaped Small Egiziano, which was made in 1954 for the Egyptian Navy. This Rolex made vintage Panerai is unusual because it has a bleach blonde dial. Ironically this dial was once white, but the Radium on the markers literally bleached the dial to a blonde color over the last 57 years, which makes this watch a highly sought after watch. 

The Small Egiziano is arguably the most beautiful vintage Panerai model ever made, based upon its amazing simplicity, and hopefully the modern Panerai company will have the wisdom to bring this beauty back to life, just like they did with the Reference PAM00372. I think Panerai should offer it with an antiqued cream dial like this one, as well an antique brown one, modeled after Hammer's stunning 6154 example, as well as a standard antiqued black dial version with a dial like the PAM 00372.

Panerai 6154 Small Egiziano

Note: I am currently working on this story, and there is much more to come. When this story is complete I will remove this notice.

The Most Beautiful Vintage Panerai In The World

It's Hammer Time!!!

The Story Of How A Panerai Changed A Man's Life Forever

Radiomir Panerai 6154 Small Egiziano

I have to let you know up front, that this story is a preview. Why? Because this is a story I have wanted to tell for a long time, but it is so detailed, it is going to take me some time to put it together. 

This watch changed a man from Australia's life, and his name is Hammer. In the future I plan to share more of his amazing story. In the meantime let's take a look at this absolutely stunning beauty.

So what makes this watch so crazy, over-the-top beautiful? Obviously, the unbelievable patina on the dial and hands, coupled with the amazingly timeless lines of the Panerai 6154–not to mention the classic Rolex Brevet winding crown. The side profile of the 6154 is without equal, with its streamline art-deco lines. 

In the future, I plan to write an article which details the difference between the case shape of the 6152 that lacks the half-crescent  and the 6154, which at first glance look remarkable similar. In my option, the 6154 has a much better body geometry. In particular, the 6154 has the distinct horizontal line running through the middle of the case (as seen below) whereas the 6152 lacks the distinct line, an has more of a simple convex shape. Also, the 6152 has a much side profile because its crystal stands up much more vertically, where the 6154 crystal is much more domed and streamlined.

To the best of my knowledge, Hammer only owns and wears two vintage Panerai watches. He used to have a larger watch collection of ten watches, but he sold it to purchase his beloved 6154 with the brown dial. He also owns an original Reference 6152 with the black dial that has the Luminor Panerai designation. 

In the photo above and below, we see Hammer's brown dialed Radiomir Panerai 6154, next to his Luminor Panerai 6152, which has the now trademark half-crescent crown guard. I argue that Hammer is an extremely fortunate man because his two beautiful vintage Panerai watches–both made in the middle of the 1950s–represent the ultimate grail/pinnacle vintage Panerai collection.

The photo below shows Hammer's Panerai 6154 between two other Radiomir Panerai models that show the full spectrum of dial color that exists in the world.