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Panerai
Ref. PAM968
Submersible "Bronzo"
A rare and impressive bronze automatic diver's wristwatch with date, crown protection device, titanium back, Guarantee and box, number 44 of a 1000 pieces limited edition
Full-Cataloguing
In 2011, Panerai introduced the PAM00968 Luminor Submersible encased in a 47mm diameter bronze case, exemplified by the present example part of a limited edition of 1,000 pieces. Its apt nickname “Bronzo” comes from the Italian word for bronze, and from a technical standpoint the watch features an in-house cal. 9010 with up to 3 days of power reserve via two barrels.
The present example is numbered V0044/1000 and it is offered by its original owner in absolutely “as new” condition - never having seen any wrist time at all - and accompanied by the full set of accessories. It is a fantastic chance for lovers of diver's watches to acquire an attractive and robust professional tool watch, and to witness the fascinating metamorphosis of the case from a “mint” starting point.
Panerai
Italian | 1860Known for its robust designs and large case sizes, Officine Panerai was established in 1860 by Giovanni Panerai in Florence, Italy. Around 1900, Giovanni's grandson Guido Panerai took over, and Panerai became the supplier to the Regia Marina — the Royal Italian Navy. After supplying the navy with high-precision instruments for a number of years, Officine Panerai created Radiomir, a radium-based powder that gives luminosity to the dials of sighting instruments and devices. By 1936, the Royal Italian Navy approached Panerai again with the request to design a watch resistant to extreme underwater conditions. The watch they created became known as the "Radiomir".
Panerai's watches made during the early twentieth century era were comprised of cases designed and manufactured by Rolex SA, with Cortébert, a Swiss manufacturer, supplying the majority of their movements. The most recognizable designs from the firm are the Radiomir and Luminor. To date, vintage models from the first half of the 1900s, such as the reference 3646 and 6152 models, remain the most desirable among collectors.