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Property from the Estate of an Important American Collector

52Σ

Panerai

Ref. PAM214, OP6642

Radiomir Rattrapante

A fine and attractive limited-edition stainless steel split-seconds chronograph chronometer wristwatch watch with guarantee, chronometer rating certificate, and presentation box

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First established in 1860 in Florence, Italy, Officine Panerai began as a purveyor of specialized precision instruments like compasses and depth gauges. By the turn of the twentieth century, the firm transitioned to manufacturing wristwatches as well. Today, several management changes later, their watches stay true to the original Panerai DNA, easily identified by their oversized cushion-shaped cases and clearly legible dials. Panerai experimented with various compounds to produce watches with luminous material that would be brighter and more effective for their underwater instruments. The luminous powder was named “Radiomir” and patented in France in 1916.

The Radiomir Rattrapante is classic in design with an oversized cushion-shaped case, wire lugs and polished bezel. The rattrapante, or split-seconds, mechanism is one of the most difficult and complicated types of chronograph functions to produce, and manufacturers typically make very limited numbers due to the technical difficulty of making such movements. As such, the present watch was made in very limited numbers only.

The present model is in very good overall condition and complete with guarantee and presentation box.

Panerai

Italian | 1860

Known 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.

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