Photograph of a Radiomir PAM00190 by TRThe Radiomir is born. In 1936, the Italian Navy asked Officine Panerai to develop a watch that could withstand extreme conditions and could be easy to read underwater and in the dark. At that time, Panerai had already been making specialized instruments for used on Italian naval vessels. As a result of the request, developed the first Radiomir wrist watch. The watch had a large 47mm face, large luminous hands and Arabic numerals. The name Radiomir came from the self-luminescent material used to paint the hands and numerals on the dial of the watch. Later, Panerai changed this material to “Luminor” which was still self-luminescent, but not as dangerous as the original radioactive material. Two years later the watch watch into production for the Italian Navy.
Today, the names Radiomir and Luminor are no longer used by Officine Panerai to describe the luminescent material used in the watch, but the shape of the case. Those looking for a watch which resembles what Officine Panerai originally built for the Italian Navy should look at Panerai's Radiomir line-up of watches.
In this article we look at the current regular production line-up of "historic" Radiomir watches, Historic meaning, excluding chronograph and GMT models.
In this article we look at the current regular production line-up of "historic" Radiomir watches, Historic meaning, excluding chronograph and GMT models.
Radiomir PAM 210Base Model Panerai Radiomir's. Those looking for a current production watch that most closely resembles the original Panerai watch built for the Italian Navy should look at the Radiomir PAM00210. The PAM 210 is what is sometimes called a "base" model watch, meaning it displays only hours and minutes. It does not display seconds.
The PAM 210 is smaller that its ancestor with a case diameter of 45mm. However, it does feel like a historical piece. The use of a manual winding mechanism with a swan neck regulator, the Panerai OP X Calibre gives it the feel of a old world watch. To some, the movement may be a drawback. Being a manual winding movement, means you have to wind up the watch every two or three days. The other drawback? Well, the Panerai OP X Calibre is a Panerai modified ETA 6497 movement and not one built completely by Panerai. This may matter to some.
For those looking for something with a bit more bling, there is the nearly identical, Radiomir PAM00232, which has a pink gold case.
Radiomir Panerai PAM 232 Small seconds. I like having a second hand. Not that I use it much, but I just like having it there. Those similarly inclined would be more interested in the Radiomir PAM00183. The PAM 183 is identical is virtually to the PAM210, except that it has a small seconds displayed at the 9 o'clock.
Radiomir Panerai PAM 183
Radiomir Panerai PAM 183The movement inside is he Panerai OP XI Calibre, the only difference with the OP X, being the second hand. Similar to the PAM 183 is the PAM 292 with a ceramic black case. We have a separate article on the PAM 292 which describes the ceramic casing used in the PAM 292 in full.
Radiomir Panerai PAM 292
Self-winding. A manual winding movement may not be acceptable for some. For a watch to be worn daily, a self-winding movement would be preferable. In this category, Officine Panerai offers the Radiomir PAM00287.
Radiomir PAM 287
This watch is powered by the self-winding Panerai Calibre OP III, and displays seconds as well as the date. Similar to its manual wound counterparts, it also comes in a 45mm case. If you want a automatic Radiomir with a classic look, this is your only current option.
Panerai inside. If you want a 45mm Radiomir with a movement built by Panerai, your current options are the PAM00286 and the PAM00346. These watches are both powered by Panerai's Calibre P.2002 movements. The p.2002 movement is a manual winding movement with an amazing eight day power reserve. It displays hours, minutes, seconds, date and the power reserve. The two watches actually uses different variants of this movement. The PAM 286 uses the PAM P.2002/3 movement while the PAM 346 has the similar PAM P.2002/9 movement. The only major difference between these two is that one displays the power reserve indicator on the dial, and the other at the back.
Where these PAM 286 and PAM 346 differ substantially are the material the case is made with. and the dial. The PAM 286 has a polished steel case, a black dial and a power reserve indicator on the face.
Radiomir PAM 286
Radiomir Panerai PAM 292
Radiomir PAM 287 This watch is powered by the self-winding Panerai Calibre OP III, and displays seconds as well as the date. Similar to its manual wound counterparts, it also comes in a 45mm case. If you want a automatic Radiomir with a classic look, this is your only current option.
Panerai inside. If you want a 45mm Radiomir with a movement built by Panerai, your current options are the PAM00286 and the PAM00346. These watches are both powered by Panerai's Calibre P.2002 movements. The p.2002 movement is a manual winding movement with an amazing eight day power reserve. It displays hours, minutes, seconds, date and the power reserve. The two watches actually uses different variants of this movement. The PAM 286 uses the PAM P.2002/3 movement while the PAM 346 has the similar PAM P.2002/9 movement. The only major difference between these two is that one displays the power reserve indicator on the dial, and the other at the back.
Where these PAM 286 and PAM 346 differ substantially are the material the case is made with. and the dial. The PAM 286 has a polished steel case, a black dial and a power reserve indicator on the face.
Radiomir PAM 286The PAM 346 has a titanium case and a cleaner brown dial.
Radiomir PAM 346
47mm Radiomir. The creme dela creme of current production Radiomir's is the Radiomir Composite Marina Militare PAM00339. The PAM 339 has a 47mm Radiomir case made of a special composite material. The composite material is light, but harder than metals like steel and titanium. It is also more durable than traditional ceramic watches. The resulting finish is extremely durable dark matte brown finish. If you want to read more about the process, please refer to this article.
Radiomir PAM 339
Inside is the Panerai manual winding mechanical Panerai P.2002/7 calibre movement similar to that found in the PAM 286 and 346, but it does not have a date display. The PAM 339 watch pays homage to its history with the Italian Navy with the words "Marina Militare" on the dial. The downside to this choice is that at 47mm, it will be too big for many, (including present company) and production is limited to 1000 pieces so its availability is limited.
PAM 337 in stainless steel
PAM 338 in titanium
PAM 336 in pink gold
Radiomir PAM 346
Radiomir PAM 339Inside is the Panerai manual winding mechanical Panerai P.2002/7 calibre movement similar to that found in the PAM 286 and 346, but it does not have a date display. The PAM 339 watch pays homage to its history with the Italian Navy with the words "Marina Militare" on the dial. The downside to this choice is that at 47mm, it will be too big for many, (including present company) and production is limited to 1000 pieces so its availability is limited.
42mm Radiomir. To many a "real" Radiomir should be in 45-47mm. Whether a smaller one is desirable to you is a matter of personal choice. Personally, this puts the Radiomir on my wish list.
Anyway, there are three 42mm Panerai Radiomir's, the PAM00336, PAM00337 and PAM00338. These three watch have the new hand-wound mechanical, built-by-Panerai calibre P.999/1 movement. The new PAM 336, 337 and 338 are nearly identical. The difference simply lies in the material used for the case, and the color of the dial and hands. The PAM 336 has a pink gold case, a brown dial and gold hands. The PAM 337 comes in the more traditional steel case and black dial. The PAM 338 comes in titanium with a black dial.
Anyway, there are three 42mm Panerai Radiomir's, the PAM00336, PAM00337 and PAM00338. These three watch have the new hand-wound mechanical, built-by-Panerai calibre P.999/1 movement. The new PAM 336, 337 and 338 are nearly identical. The difference simply lies in the material used for the case, and the color of the dial and hands. The PAM 336 has a pink gold case, a brown dial and gold hands. The PAM 337 comes in the more traditional steel case and black dial. The PAM 338 comes in titanium with a black dial.
PAM 337 in stainless steel
PAM 338 in titanium
PAM 336 in pink goldSummary. Despite all the available models, somehow the collection seems incomplete. There is only one self-winding watch in the bunch. A self-winding watch in a more historic no-date model would be popular choice my opinion. A no-date 45mm Panerai with a in-house movement would be easily become a favorite. Definitely, we would like to see more "composite" cases. A smaller PAM 339 would really be a winner in our opinion.
About Panerai. Officine Panerai was founded in 1860 in Florence, Italy by Giovani Panerai. Panerai was acquired over by Swiss watchmaker Richemont S. A. in 1997.
About Panerai. Officine Panerai was founded in 1860 in Florence, Italy by Giovani Panerai. Panerai was acquired over by Swiss watchmaker Richemont S. A. in 1997.
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