Panerai Model Guide
Panerai is one of the most sought after timepieces – worn by actors and other celebrities all over the world. The timepieces have a unique look about them – specifically the lock for the crown which helps to secure the crown from accidental damage. It also helps tighten the crown to the case increasing the waterproofness system.
In this Panerai model guide we will go through several different types of Panerai that you can find in the market today.
Panerai Model Guide History
Panerai has an interesting history. Giovanni Panerai founded Officine Panerai in Florence, Italy in 1860. He created a watchmaking school, and had a repair shop in the same location. His grandson Guido Panerai took the company in a new direction, creating all sorts of devices for the Italian navy, including some of the earliest dive instruments and earliest uses of luminescence in watchmaking history. This continued into WW2 and even the 1960’s.
Utilizing Radiomir, a Radium-based substance which was radioactive and had negative health benefits, Panerai eventually changed to a substance called Luminor which was also luminous but less radioactive and had no health effects.
Interestingly, early on, they partnered with Rolex to manufacture many of their timepieces. The Italian Navy required large, highly legible timepieces that were strong. Panerai is notable because of some of these large and highly legible timepieces. However, they eventually created their iconic crown guard to protect the crown from the work that Italian Navy divers would do.
Although the company produced timepieces to the Navy, watches were rarely sold to the general public. They had a small store in Italy, but were not widely popular by the consumer public.
In the 1970’s and on, Panerai started to see some of the popularity of the Rolex brand and started to work towards creating an iconic brand focused on high end timepieces. Success started in the 1990’s due to some high profile A-list actors such as Schwarzenegger and Stallone wearing the timepieces.
Panerai eventually sold to the Vendome family which is part of Compagnie Financière Richemont S.A. Officine today. The Vendome family moved the brand to Switzerland – in a very controversial move. Many other brands were formed in Italy after Panerai left.
Many watchmakers that formerly worked for Panerai created their own mini-brands that continue to this day. Many of the Pre-Vendome timepieces became highly collectible as the Post-Vendome timepieces still have value, but have lost some in comparison.
The company is currently headquartered in Geneva and manufactures watches in Neuchâtel, Switzerland using primarily movements manufactured in-house.
Why Are Watch Straps Important?
Watch straps are a critical component to a timepiece. Straps keep the timepiece attached to the wrist, and in the case of dive watches, like Panerai which were made for the Italian Navy Seals, the straps are the difference between having your tool or losing your tool. In the depth of the ocean a strap that breaks, means your timepiece will disappear forever.
Panerai timepieces are made to be strong. They need to have a band that will provide strength both above and below water. Italy is surrounded by water, and the Navy was the largest military in Italy. So, creating a timepiece to support the Italian Navy meant that the band also had to be highly waterproof, strong, and resistant to the elements such as UV-rays and heat from the sun.
However, with high fashion, it is often limited to just look at straps as a tool to keep your timepiece attached. Although the functionality is important, style is just as critical. Color is increasingly important to Panerai watch owners. Panerai timepieces are not unlike the Swatch brand since they almost beg owners to remove the original band that came with the timepiece and adorn it with a color that fits their mood at that moment.
The Panerai case, bezel and dial tend to be pretty militaristic with the use of PVD, steel or black colors. So, adding a splash of white, red or some other color to the band lets the Panerai owner make a statement.
What Kind of Panerai Straps Are Available?
Leather Straps for Panerai
Some watch bands just won’t hold up to the needs of an active Panerai owner. For example the calf or alligator leather bands weaken and tend to warp with sweat, and especially when submerged in water. However, the look of leather is something that may spruce up an outfit or wear nicely with a suit.
Leather bands come in many colors and styles. Often the stitching is just as important to the band as the band itself. You might get a dark brown leather band with a light tan stitching to keep the two pieces of leather together. There is also the single cut of Suede Leather that can also create a unique look and an extremely comfortable feel to the touch. Leather bands will have a dual loop, or a single loop to fit the excess band through as it wraps around the wrist.
Rubber B initially developed the Structure Series of Leather bands to combine the look of leather with the strength and waterproofness of rubber. The base of each Structure Series band is vulcanized rubber. However, the visible band comes in 4 types of leather.
It comes in either a black or brown alligator or full-grained leather look. The Red Devil look has a black leather top, with a red rubber base and cuff loop, giving the timepiece a dazzling look. Click here for more info on the Structure Series Bands.
Swimskin “Alligator” Straps
Rubber B has pioneered a specific Rubberized band that ethically and precisely imitates real genuine leather. They do this with a process that makes the band look and feel like leather, but since the band is 100% rubber, it will have better wear and strength with your active lifestyle.
These bands are made for Panerai 40mm and 42mm cases. All bands are made in Switzerland with pure Vulcanized rubber. View these bands here.
Kevlar Nato Bands
A Kevlar Nato band is a perfect compliment to the Panerai timepiece. Since Panerai has a rich history of military timepieces, the Nato is a strap that completely makes sense. The Nato band and the Kevlar fabric feels like a military tool, ready for action.
Rubber B has developed a Nato-like band made of 100% rubber. Although SwimSkin® looks and feels identical to moisture-sensitive materials such as Kevlar® and Twill, it is actually 100% rubber, therefore entirely waterproof for all aquatic activities. There are endless watch references from Panerai that feature 19-20mm lug space, and they are all candidates for the high-tech Rubber B Cuff Series.
This High-Tech Vulcanized Rubber Combat Strap is designed specifically for the Panerai 47mm. SwimSkin® is our exclusively patented technology, created over a developmental period of many years for absolute perfection, requiring all-new innovative machinery and engineering techniques. The width of the lug attachment is 26mm, so it can be compatible with other types/brands of watches with similar width.
This Vulcanized Rubber watch band has been Tortion-tested for extreme strength and security. All of the Rubber B Cuff Series bands are made in Switzerland with pure vulcanized rubber. No coating, blends or bonding & built by leaders in the luxury watch strap industry. Each band is hand-sewn with Hydroturf® Marine Thread which offers maximum resistance to UV-rays, atmospheric conditions, & chemicals.
This strap is compatible with the OEM Panerai tang buckle, or can also be used with any other 22mm buckle (NOTE: not compatible with deployment buckles). The buckle is NOT included.
Blocked Engineering Fitted Bands
The original “Blocked Engineering” bands are unique bands that are specifically designed to fit each model of Panerai watch precisely. The beauty of a fitted band is that it creates no gap between the watch case and the band itself. Most non-fitted bands leave a space between the lug and the watch case. Rubber B was the pioneer in creating vulcanized rubber bands that not only mimic a high end steel band in its shape, but because it is made of vulcanized rubber, it has both comfort and strength for all athletic activities such as swimming, diving and sunbathing.
Panerai Luminor Submersible 44mm
Panerai Luminor 1950 44mm Type 1 – (PAM 212, 213, 233, 253, 286, 289, 332, 524, 525, 531, 533, 576, 580, 653, 654, 689, 1312, 1359, 1499)
Panerai Luminor 1950 44mm Type 2 – (Most other Panerai 1950’s)
Panerai Luminor and Luminor Marina – 44mm
Panerai Model Guide – Historic Models:
PAM 000 – Luminor Base Logo
PAM 001 – Luminor Marina
PAM 002 – Luminor Base
PAM 003 – Luminor Marina
PAM 004 – Luminor Marina PVD
PAM 005 – Luminor Marina Logo
PAM 006 – Mare Nostrum
PAM 007 – Mare Nostrum
PAM 008 – Mare Nostrum
PAM 009 – Luminor Base PVD
PAM 010 – Luminor Base
PAM 022 – Luminor Marina Destro
PAM 026 – Luminor Marina Destro PVD
PAM 037 – Luminor Marina
PAM 040 – Luminor Marina Titanium
PAM 055 – Luminor Base
PAM 056 – Luminor Marina Destro Titanium
PAM 061 – Luminor Marina Titanium
PAM 111 – Luminor Marina
PAM 112 – Luminor Base
PAM 113 – Luminor Marina
PAM 114 – Luminor Base
PAM 115 – Luminor Marina Destro
PAM 116 – Luminor Base
PAM 117 – Luminor Marina Destro Titanium
PAM 118 – Luminor Marina Titanium
PAM 176 – Luminor Base Titanium
PAM 177 – Luminor Marina Titanium
PAM 183 – Radiomir Black Seal
PAM 190 – Radiomir 8 Days
PAM 197 – Radiomir 8 Days
PAM 210 – Radiomir
PAM 219 – Luminor Base Destro
PAM 231 – Radiomir Rose Gold
PAM 233 – Luminor 1950 8 Days GMT
PAM 268 – Radiomir 8 Days
PAM 289 – Luminor 1950 8 Days GMT
PAM 292 – Radiomir Black Seal
PAM 336 – Radiomir
PAM 337 – Radiomir 42mm Steel
PAM 338 – Radiomir 42mm Titanium
PAM 346 – Radiomir 8 Days
PAM 372 – Luminor 1950 3 Days
PAM 384 – Radiomir 8 Days Ceramica
