Panerai
Founded in 1860 by Italian watchmaker, Giovanni Panerai in Florence, Italy, the brand known as Officine Panerai was primarily established to provide mechanical precision instruments to the Italian Ministry of Defense. In 1943, the brand introduced the Radiomir, a watch with a safety level and bridge mechanism allowing the watch to be winded while under water. The brand regained prominence in 1997, when it became a subsidiary of the Vendôme Luxury Group, a subsidiary of the Swiss conglomerate Richemont. As a market leader in producing large sized men’s wristwatches, the brand has been seen on the wrist of prominent athletes and celebrities, developing a cult-like following among watch enthusiasts that are collectively known as the Paneristis.
