Panerai Luminor

...Panerai Studio Shot Of The Day...

Panerai Luminor

Reference PAM00127

Jacques Daughters Rockin' Panerai

...Panerai Cuteness...

Jacques Daughters Rockin' Panerai

Jacques took the photo below of his daughters wearing Panerai watches which is seriously cute!!!

Radiomir Black Seal PAM00292

...Panerai Hotness...

Radiomir Black Seal 

45MM Ceramic Case PAM00292

Draxler is from Europe and he took this photo of his wife holding her Panerai Black Seal Reference PAM292. I love this photo, and what a beautiful Panerai watch!!!

I included the photos below so you could get a good view of the PAM292

Luminor Marina 1950 3 Days 47MM PAM00422

...Panerai Studio Shot Of The Day...

Luminor Marina 1950 3 Days

47MM PAM00422

Althaur took this great photo of his Panerai Luminor Marina 1950 3 Days, when he was enjoying coffee with some buddies.

I figured since we were taking a look at this great Panerai studio shot of the PAM 422, it would make sense to take a look at the watch. The PAM00422 is somewhat similar to a PAM00372, but it has the second hand at 9, and the Luminor Marina designation on the dial, along with the Panerai designation. It also has a sapphire crystal. I have not had a chance to check out this model in person, but it looks pretty cool.

Jon Hamm Luminor Panerai

...Panerai Super-Coolness...

Jon Hamm

Luminor Panerai

40mm PAM 00119

I am working on a big update to my Jon Ham Panerai story, and I thought I would share this cool photo of Jon Hamm sporting his Luminor Panerai back in 2009, with his girlfriend.

Panerai Introduces Barometer, Hydrometer, Thermomoter, and Wall Clock

...Officine Panerai Introduction...

Panerai Introduces

Barometer, Hydrometer, Thermomoter, & Wall Clock

When I was a child, my grandparents had an unusual looking clock that looked like it had four clocks in one. I asked my grandmother what is was, and she said it had a time clock, barometer and thermometer. and that is was from a boat. Today Officine Panerai launched a line of limited edition  navigation instruments which were sponsored by Eilean, which is Panerai's vintage sailboat that was originally built in 1936.

The Panerai wall clock is battery powered, which makes sense.

The Photo below is of the Eilean which is Panerai's Boat that was made in 1938, and served as the inspiration for the new Panerai Clock show above.

Below is the official Officine Panerai press release:

OFFICINE PANERAI INTRODUCES

BAROMETER, HYGROMETER, THERMOMETER AND WALL CLOCK

Inspired by the elegant lines of Eilean, the new Panerai navigation instruments evoke the world of classic yachts.  It is Eilean, the Bermudan ketch of 1936 which represents Officine Panerai in the world of classic yachting, that has been the source of inspiration for the new navigation instruments created in limited editions and available exclusively in Panerai boutiques: the Barometer, Hygrometer, Thermometer and Wall Clock.

Built in the very same year that the first prototype of the Panerai watch was supplied to the commandos of the Italian Navy, Eilean is one of the last designs of an all-time genius of naval architecture, William Fife III; he designed and built many of the finest classic yachts that are still sailing. Acquired by Officine Panerai in 2007 and returned since then to its magnificent original state by a lengthy and meticulous restoration, Eilean takes part each year in the gatherings of the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge, the main international circuit of regattas for classic yachts.

With its elegant, flowing lines, Eilean is a perfect example of authenticity, beauty and love of the sea. Since its return to the water after being restored, Eilean has been equipped with a range of instruments specially created by Officine Panerai, and it is these which have been the inspiration for all the new models.

Like the originals in Eilean, the new Barometer, Hygrometer, Thermometer and Wall Clock are made of AISI 316L stainless steel, an alloy with a low carbon content valued for its great corrosion resistance, and they are 14 cm wide and 14 cm deep. They all have black dials of great simplicity and instant legibility, carrying the indications for displaying atmospheric pressure, the relative humidity of the air, the temperature and the time. These measurements were once indispensable for every sailor and still today, in an era dominated by digital information, they are an invaluable resource for those who still seek in sailing the classic flavour of an era now passed.

WALL CLOCK

In the past, time measurement was extremely important for sailors, because it provided one of the pieces of information used in calculating longitude, thus determining the ship’s position and course. The need for a reliable timepiece on board led to the development of ever more accurate marine chronometers which could operate perfectly in adverse environmental conditions. Officine Panerai’s new Wall Clock has been created in a period when this need no longer exists, but it is nonetheless a useful tool to have, with a distinctive dial recalling that of the wristwatches made by Panerai.

BAROMETER

The barometer, the instrument designed by the Italian physicist Evangelista Torricelli in 1643, provides accurate details of atmospheric

pressure. This information is used for weather forecasts, high atmospheric pressure indicating good weather while low pressure warns that bad weather is likely. The Panerai Barometer contains a metal box, called a barometric capsule, which is compressed to a varying degree by atmospheric pressure. This capsule expands or contracts as the pressure of the atmosphere varies and its movements are transmitted to an indicator hand.

HYGROMETER

For more than two centuries the hygrometer has been used to measure the humidity in the air and in navigation its purpose is to assess the

likelihood of rain and fog. Historically, its use was completely different: the first hygrometers were actually employed in the 14th century to resolve disputes between buyers and sellers of wool, the weight of which, and thus the price, changes with varying humidity, increasing on damp days and becoming less on dry ones.

THERMOMETER

The thermometer is an instrument for measuring temperature. The first example to use the temperature parameters which are standard today was devised by Anders Celsius, the Swedish astronomer who in 1742 subdivided the scale of a mercury thermometer into one hundred parts from the freezing point of water to its boiling point. The Panerai thermometer operates by means of two metal strips with different coefficients of expansion bonded together: variations of temperature cause this bimetallic strip to bend. The bimetallic strip is formed into a spiral and a hand is fixed to one end of it, so that it rotates to indicate the temperature as it changes.

Robert Kiyosaki Inspirational Speaker

...Panerai Coolness...

Robert Kiyosaki

Author & Inspirational Speaker

Robert Kiyosaki is a best selling author who is an American investor, self-help author and motivational speaker. He is pictured below wearing a Luminor Panerai. Robert Kiyosaki is probably most famous for authoring his book named Rich Dad, Poor Dad.

"Losers quit when they fail. Winners fail until the succeed." –Robert Kiyosaki

Robert Kiyosaki is pictured below rocking a Large Egiziano Panerai which is a whopping 60MM!!!

.New Panerai Model Introduction: Radiomir Panerai Automatic 45MM: Reference PAM00572

...New Panerai Model Introduction...

Radiomir Panerai Automatic

45MM: Reference PAM00572

It is hard to believe, but Panerai just introduced another all-new model, which was NOT showcased at  SIHH. It is called the Panerai Radiomir 1940, and it is the first Radiomir model to be offered with an automatic movement. It is worth mentioning this all new model, despite being 45mm and not 47mm, is getting us closer to modern Officine Panerai offering a model based upon the legendary Reference 6154.

This all-new Panerai model heralds a new era in Officine Panerai movement prowess with the debut of the P.4000 caliber movement. Not only is is the first automatic Radiomir Panerai, but it features an off-center micro-rotor, which reminds me of the micro-roter in the Patek Philippe Calibre 240 movement. Having this mini-rotor will allow Officine Panerai easily add more complications to the P.4000 in the future if the decide to do so.

This beautiful new movement is made in Office Panerai's Neuchâtel manufacture, which I will be doing a future story on, and as I understand it, this new factory is not only super-state-of-the-art, but Panerai has invested heavily in R&D, which will allow them to expand their movements in complexity and sophistication. 

The Panerai PAM00572 will be available in stainless steel as well as in Rose Gold, and both versions will feature a sapphire crystal case back. Tracey Llewellyn of QPMagazine.com wrote an excellent article that features many, many more details regarding this magnificent new Panerai Model, which I highly recommend.

Nad's Fascinating SIHH 2014 Adventure A Second Perspective

Nad's Fascinating SIHH 2014 Adventure

A Second Perspective

Two weeks ago I attended SIHH 2014 in Geneva, Switzerland where I live-blogged on many of the new Panerai model introductions, and today I have a different SIHH 2014 perspective to share with you.

As many readers of Jake's Panerai World know, the ultimate web forum for all things Panerai is Paneristi.com. Paneristi.com has many fascinating members who regularly post interesting stories and information, and in my minds eye, the two most interesting members are Hammer and Nad, and Nad recently posted a fascinating photo-centric story on Paneristi.com about his 2014 SIHH experience which I highly recommend checking out.

Nad is pictured above at SIHH 2014 in Geneva Switzerland, and in the photo below we see a wrist shot he took of his PAM00399, which is an extremely cool and rare Panerai.

LiveBlogging Panerai SIHH 2014

Panerai @ SIHH 2014

January 20-24. Geneva, Switzerland

SIHH is a private event for guests of the exhibiting brands, and I had the privilege of attending the SIHH show this last week in Geneva, Switzerland, and it was mind-blowing!

SIHH History

First a little bit of history. SIHH is the acronym for Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie, which is one of two major horological trade-shows that take place every year in Geneva, Switzerland. The other major horological show is BaselWorld. BaselWorld was founded in 1925, and has grown significantly over the past 89 years to become the largest horological trade show in the world. BaselWorld today features over 2100 exhibitors, from 45 different companies. BaselWorld is open to the general public, and also features many companies that specialize in precious gems.

Twenty three years ago, in 1991, as the Richmont Group began growing, it sought to start its own trade show, that was not open to the general public. Instead, it was only open to retailers, distributors and the media. In 1991, the following brands attended the very first SIHH Show: Baume & Mercier, Cartier, Piaget, Gérald Genta, and Daniel Roth. Today, in 2014 The 24th year of the SIHH Show featured 16 watch brands which include, A. Lange & Söhne, Audemars Piquet, Baume & Mercier, Cartier, Greubel Forsey, IWC, Jaeger LeCoultre, Montblanc, Officine Panerai, Parmigiani Gleurier, Piaget, Ralph Lauren Watch & Jewelry, Richard Mille, Rouger Dubuis, Vacheron Constantin, & Van Cleef & Arpels.

This year was the first SIHH I have ever attended, and it completely blew my mind!!! Ironically, when I mentioned to several of my friends who have been in the horological business for decades, that I had been invited to attend SIHH, they kept telling me how envious they were, and repeated that they really wished they could attend. I thought this was kind of strange, and didn't understand what the big deal was, until I walked in the door of SIHH, and was stunned with the amazing world that unfolded in front of me. 

I know understand why there were envious. Approximately 14,000 guests attended SIHH this year, from around the planet, of which 12% were journalists. The theme at this years SIHH was, Horologie, A Childe Of Astronomy, which was chosen since so many of the watches featured had amazing movements in them that were like miniature universes.

SIHH is held at a convention center in Geneva, located near the Geneva Airport, named PalExpo, and from what I learned, it has one of the longest build times of any trade-show in the world, at 4-5 weeks. Meaning, that the attending brands begin building out their stores over a month before the invitees attend. If I didn't know any better, I would think I was walking into an enormous, elegant mall, with 24 dedicated watch brand stores. Each brand has its own store, which is highly customized to be an extension of its personality, and the Panerai venue was absolutely stunning!!!

First Class Everything

SIHH is enormous, and in many ways it seemed like attending a black tie event, without black ties. In other words, the vast majority of people were wearing elegant business suits. In between all the brand venues/stores, there are restaurants that have an amazing assortment of superb food and drink. When you attend SIHH, there is a magic in the air, and you get the idea you are attending a very special event. Everything about SIHH was absolutely First-Class in every way possible.

Panerai first exhibited at SIHH in 1999. Panerai CEO Angelo Bonati is pictured below chatting with an friend in front of the Panerai Section at SIHH 2014, just as the show began.

Angelo Bonati is considered to be chief architect of the modern Panerai company, and under his decades long leadership, Panerai has grown into a colossal success, which continues to innovate and grow at an unusually fast pace.

I was extremely fortunate to gain the first appointment to for a journalist to preview all the new Panerai models in person, and I immediately published these first wrist shots of the all-new highly limited-edition 45MM Panerai Chronograph models (Reference PAM00518, PAM00519, and PAM00520], which took my breath away!!! These stunning beauties are unique in many senses. Particularly, they are the first Panerai chronograph models to feature the Historic Panerai 1940 case.

This next Oro Rosso (Red gold) beauty has a chocolate brown California dial, and it's also 45MM. I think one of the most interesting things about these new Panerai Chronographs, is how vintage looking their design language is. I mean these models, literally look like they were made in the 1940s in every way, yet they are brand new, and all of them feature a beautiful Minerva movement.

Vintage Panerai Museum Pieces

The Panerai Exhibition at SIHH featured a small collection of pieces from the Panerai museum. There has been much speculation over the years about how many vintage Panerai watches were made, as well as how many of them are still in existence, and of course, how many of the the ones that still exist are known or have been identified by collectors? 

In other words, I am certain that in the world there are still many undiscovered vintage watches that are tucked away in drawers, that have been dismissed as worthless old pocket watches or something like that. My best guess is that Rolex made less than 1000 pieces and it could be as few as 300 pieces, and keep in mind 100% of the vintage Rolex-made Panerai watches were NEVER available to the public. I believe today there are approximately 200 known examples of vintage Panerai watches throughout the world, and I further believe that the Officine Panerai Museum Collection consists or approximately 50-60 pieces, of which several were on display at SIHH 2014. These are very rare birds, indeed...

Reference 3646

This first beauty is a Reference 3646 which was made between 1936 and 1938, and it features a classic California Dial.

52MM Mare Nostrum Prototype

This next watch is an extremely rare Radiomir Panerai Chronograph "Mare Nostrum" which was made in 1942 or 1943. This watch never went into production, and is mythical among vintage Panerai collectors. This tool watch is very large, even by todays standards, at 52MM!

Reference 6152

This second beauty is a Panerai 6152, which was made in 1952 by Rolex for Panerai. Today this would be classified as a "Base" Panerai since it has no complication beyond the second hand. In my opinion, this 6152 and 6154 base models, are the most timeless and beautiful vintage Panerai models, due to their supreme tool-watch simplicity. 

The photo below shows the 6152 (pictured above) from the side view, and you notice it features an standard 8MM Rolex "Big Crown" winding crown. This watch is truly sublime and without pier. A true timeless Italian beauty, just like Sophia Loren.

Reference 6152-1

This next vintage Panerai is a 6152-1 which features an 8-Day Angelus movement, with a second hand sundial located just to the right of the 9 O'clock marker. Notice is has the "BREV. ITAL." etching on the front face of the crown guard.

Reference 6152 Lefty

This next vintage Luminor Panerai is a 6152 Lefty, with the Marina Militare dial designation. This watch was made for left handed people to wear on their right wrist.