Panerai Radiomir

The Panerai Radiomir is one of the most famous diving watches of all time. It's been accompanying divers on their underwater adventures for over 80 years. Officine Panerai, as this Italian manufacturer is officially known, created the first Radiomir in 1936 at the request of the Italian navy. It wasn't made available to the public until 1993. Since then, Panerai has been one of the leading manufacturers of sporty luxury timepieces. Today, their Radiomir and Luminor collections of military watches are bona fide industry icons.

Every Radiomir model has a cushion-shaped case that measures between 42 and 49 mm across. Case materials include stainless steel, rose gold, and ceramic. In recent years, Panerai has also taken to researching and developing their own materials. Among the results are Carbotech and Fibratech, composite materials based on carbon and basalt fibers, respectively. Furthermore, the manufacturer is also a pioneer when it comes to working with recycled materials.

Panerai has equipped most Radiomir watches with in-house calibers since 2005. Many have practical complications like a GMT-function, power reserve indicator, or small seconds. A few models, such as the Radiomir 1940 ref. PAM00624, also boast astounding 10-day power reserves.

Depending on which Radiomir model you choose, its price on Chrono24 can range from 4,000 to 32,000 USD. Entry-level watches include stainless steel editions like the Radiomir Base Logo and Radiomir Black Seal. On the other end of the spectrum, you'll mostly find gold timepieces with additional complications, such as the Radiomir Chrono Monopulsate 8 Days and Radiomir GMT 8 Days.

Prices for most of the collection's watches fall between 5,600 and 10,500 USD. Interesting models in this range include the Radiomir S.L.C., Radiomir California, and ceramic Radiomir Black Seal. The Radiomir Rattrapante and Radiomir GMT 10 Day also occupy this price point.

Panerai introduced a new entry-level Radiomir model in 2018, the ref. PAM00753. Known as the Radiomir Base Logo 3 Days, this watch has a 45-mm polished stainless steel case and is water-resistant to 100 m (10 bar, 328 ft). One of its most distinctive features is the wire loop system for exchanging the strap. Panerai first introduced this mechanism in the 1930s.

The manual caliber P.6000 ticks away inside this timepiece. The movement replaced the ETA/Unitas 6497, which Panerai had previously used in their entry-level models. The P.6000 boasts a 72-hour (three-day) power reserve and has a balance frequency of 21,600 vibrations per hour (vph), which is equal to 3 Hz.

The dial is black and features line indices alongside Panerai's characteristic stylized Arabic numerals at 3, 6, 9, and 12 o'clock. These markings are stamped on the dial and glow in the dark. Luminous material also coats the hour and minute hands. A never-worn version on a brown leather strap costs about 4,500 USD.

Radiomir Eilean and Venti

The Radiomir Eilean and its sister model, the Radiomir Venti, are close relatives of the Base Logo 3 Days. Both have the same 45-mm stainless steel case as the Base Logo and get their power from the caliber P.6000. The differences are in the dial designs. Introduced in summer 2021, the Eilean features a brown sandwich dial with vertical stripes that mimic the teak planks on the deck of the watch's namesake ketch, the "Eilean," a sailboat built in 1936. Panerai acquired and restored the vessel in 2009 and only produced 449 copies of the Radiomir Eilean per year. This model remains a rare sight on Chrono24 but is available from the manufacturer for a list price of 8,100 USD.

The special-edition Radiomir Venti debuted in 2020 to celebrate 20 years of the online "Paneristi" community. It comes with a brown "sun-brushed" sandwich dial and a "Paneristi" inscription just above 6 o'clock. Panerai only produced 1,020 copies of the Radiomit Venti. You can find this timepiece on Chrono24 for about 7,700 USD.

The Radiomir Black Seal Logo bears a strong resemblance to the Base Logo. It has a 45-mm stainless steel case, 100 m (10 bar, 328 ft) of water resistance, and a black dial with stamped glow-in-the-dark indices and numerals. The most obvious difference is the small seconds at 9 o'clock.

Panerai released the first Black Seal in 2011. The series' name pays tribute to the Italian navy's elite divers. Models with the reference number PAM00380 use the manual caliber OP II based on the ETA/Unitas 6497-1. In summer 2018, the manufacturer replaced this version with the ref. PAM00754. The newer variant gets its power from the in-house caliber P.6000. From a design perspective, these two watches are nearly identical. However, you can easily tell them apart by the color of the indices and numerals: Those on the PAM00380 are white, while those on the PAM00754 are green.

Be sure to have about 4,200 USD on hand for a PAM00380. On the other hand, the current PAM00754 demands roughly 4,600 USD.

The Black Seal With a Ceramic Case

Panerai also used to offer a version of the Black Seal with a black ceramic case under the reference number PAM00292. This model measures 45 mm across and is water-resistant to 100 m (10 bar, 328 ft). Unlike the stainless steel Black Seal, Panerai outfitted the Black Seal Ceramic with a sandwich dial. This dial type has two layers: an upper layer with cutouts for the indices and numerals and a lower layer coated with luminous material. The caliber OP XI provides the timepiece with its precise timekeeping. Based on the ETA/Unitas 6497-1, this movement features a swan-neck fine adjustment.

You can call a Radiomir Black Seal Ceramic PAM00292 your own for about 7,000 USD on Chrono24.

The manual caliber P.5000 provides several Radiomir models with impressive eight-day power reserves. Panerai achieves this using double barrels and a fairly moderate balance frequency of 21,600 vph.

One example of a Radiomir with an eight-day power reserve is the aptly named Radiomir 8 Days PAM00992. This 45-mm stainless steel timepiece has a black sandwich dial with a small seconds at 9 o'clock and tempered blue hands. The dial also features an inscription reading "8 Giorni Brevettato" at 3 o'clock. You can purchase a never-worn model for approximately 8,100 USD on Chrono24.

The 45-mm ref. PAM00610 in stainless steel is a more affordable alternative. This model also uses the in-house caliber P.5000 with an eight-day power reserve. However, it lacks a small seconds and the "8 Giorni Brevettato" inscription. Prices for a PAM00610 sit around 5,100 USD.

The Radiomir California 3 Days ref. PAM00424 bears a strong resemblance to early Radiomir models from the 1930s. Released in 2014, this timepiece is made of polished stainless steel, measures 47 mm across, and can withstand depths of 100 m (10 bar, 328 ft). Furthermore, it features a black "California" dial, meaning there are Roman numerals on the top half and Arabic numerals on the bottom. Line indices mark the hours at 3, 6, and 9 o'clock, while a triangle represents 12 o'clock. A railroad minute track around the dial's outer edge completes the look.

The manual Panerai caliber P.3000 powers this watch. It has a 72-hour power reserve and ticks at a frequency of 21,600 vph. A brown leather strap with white stitching holds this timepiece on the wrist. The California 3 Days costs around 7,000 USD in mint condition. Alternatively, you may prefer the ref. PAM00931. It has a brown California dial with a beautiful gradient alongside tempered blue hands. Beyond that, the two timepieces are identical. This version of the Radiomir California 3 Days changes hands for roughly 7,600 USD on Chrono24.

Radiomir S.L.C. With a "Torpedo" Dial

Panerai has been producing the 47-mm Radiomir S.L.C. 3 Days ref. PAM00425 since 2012. Like the PAM00424, this timepiece gets its power from the manual caliber P.3000 with a 72-hour power reserve. Its clean dial design comes from a Radiomir prototype that was developed in the late 1930s but never went into series production. Apparently, the manufacturer designed the historical timepieces for the pilots of a manned torpedo known as the "Siluro a Lenta Corsa."

The sandwich dial has line indices at 3, 6, 9, and 12 o'clock, with dots marking the other hours. A silhouette of the aforementioned torpedo and its pilots appears above 6 o'clock. The edition with a white dial and brown leather strap requires an investment of some 6,300 USD new.

You can find the same dial on the Radiomir 1940 Ceramica PAM00577. Beyond its 48-mm black ceramic case and more robust and masculine lugs, this watch is identical to the S.L.C. You can call this ceramic watch your own for about 9,300 USD.

The Radiomir collection contains a few models with practical complications like a GMT function, date display, small seconds, or power reserve indicator. The Radiomir 1940 GMT Power Reserve ref. PAM00628 features several of these functions.

The Panerai caliber P.4002 ticks away inside its 47-mm polished stainless steel case. An additional central hand displays the time in a second time zone, while a small 24-hour counter at 9 o'clock lets you know whether it's morning or afternoon in that time zone. This subdial also doubles as a small seconds. A date display sits across the dial at 3 o'clock, and there's a power reserve indicator at 5. The dial is black and boasts a beautiful Clous de Paris pattern. Prices for this GMT watch sit around 9,700 USD.

If you would rather have the power reserve indicator on the back of the watch, the Radiomir 1940 GMT PAM00657 is a fantastic option. Beyond the location of its power reserve indicator, this watch sets itself apart from the GMT Power Reserve thanks to its black dial with fine vertical stripes. This model changes hands for roughly 9,400 USD on Chrono24.

The Radiomir GMT Verde Militare PAM00998 is nearly identical but for its olive green sandwich dial. Its prices come in at about 12,500 USD.

The Rose Gold PAM 624: A GMT Function and 10-Day Power Reserve

The ref. PAM00624 is a true collector's item. Panerai introduced this timepiece in 2015 and only ever produced 150 copies. The watch combines the best of everything the manufacturer has to offer. Its 47-mm case contains the in-house caliber P.2003/10. This movement provides the timepiece with its central hour, minute, and GMT hands, as well as its dual small seconds and AM/PM display at 9 o'clock. There's also a date display at 3 o'clock. What's more, it boasts an incredible 10-day power reserve. You can see how much energy the movement has left via the power reserve indicator at 6 o'clock.

If you would like to call this rare limited edition your own, be sure to have some 31,000 USD on hand.

At first glance, timepieces in the Radiomir 1940 series seem like any other Radiomir watch. However, if you look more closely, you'll recognize subtle differences in their designs. Panerai first developed diving watches for the Italian navy in 1940, hence the number in this series' name. This is also why current Radiomir 1940 models bear a strong resemblance to the original watches.

Instead of the delicate thin wire loop strap attachments, which could break under high amounts of pressure, the original timepieces had horn-like lugs. By crafting the case and lugs from a single piece of steel, the manufacturer achieves additional stability. Another characteristic feature of this watch is its cylinder-shaped crown in place of the Radiomir's usual cone-shaped one.

Prices for the Radiomir 1940 Edizione Verde Militare

In 2019, Panerai introduced the Radiomir Edizione Verde Militare (Italian for "green military edition") to the 1940 series. Each model has a matte green sandwich dial and indices coated in honey-colored SuperLuminova.

The Radiomir 45 Edizione Verde Militare ref. PAM00995 is a three-hand watch and measures 45 mm across. Its polished stainless steel case is water-resistant to 100 m (10 bar, 328 ft). This model has central hour and minute hands and a small seconds at 9 o'clock. You can find it for sale on Chrono24 for around 11,000 USD.

Panerai crafts the 48-mm case of the ref. PAM00997 out of black ceramic. This watch is water-resistant to 100 m (10 bar, 328 ft) and gets its power from the manual caliber P.3000. There are central hands for the hours and minutes and a small seconds dial at 9 o'clock. A black leather strap with white stitching keeps this timepiece securely on the wrist. You can purchase this model for about 12,500 USD.

Other Radiomir 1940 Models

If green is not your color, you may prefer one of the versions with a brown, white, or blue dial. For example, the ref. PAM01078 pairs a dark blue sunburst sandwich dial with a 45-mm polished titanium case. In typical Radiomir fashion, it comes with central hour and minute hands and a small seconds at 9. This watch will set you back roughly 11,000 USD.

The ref. PAM01144 is much more affordable. It also has a blue sunburst dial; however, its case is made of stainless steel and is slightly smaller at 42 mm. This version changes hands for as little as 8,500 USD on Chrono24.

Watches like the PAM00619 and PAM00655 cost around 9,100 USD each. Panerai outfits the former with a brown sandwich dial and a 45-mm stainless steel case. The latter features a 42-mm case and white dial.