PANERAI, PLATINUM LIMITED EDITION RADIOMIR 1936 WRISTWATCH WITH CALIFORNIA DIAL, REF. PAM00262

The Radiomir, Officine Panerai’s first watch, was made as a prototype in 1936 upon request of the Italian Navy looking for a “special luminous watch for divers”. One of the main characteristics of the Radiomir is its dial, of which several versions exist. The first to appear, as early as 1936, was the so-called “California” dial, with its distinctive alternation of Roman and Arabic numerals, bar markers and a railway track minute circle. But given the need to increase its visibility so that the commandos could use the watch in the most complete darkness, Panerai made the dial more luminous.

The present Radiomir 1936 is no. 48 of the limited edition of only 99 examples in platinum launched in 2006 to pay tribute to the legendary model, featuring a dark brown "tropical" California dial, rendering it a highly appealig vintage look. It is furthermore preserved in excellent overall condition and sold with the original certificates and box.

Guido Panerai & Figlio, founded in 1860 in Florence, advanced quickly to the official watchmaker of the Italian Navy and produced extremely modern and precise instruments. In 1936 the company, later renamed Officine Panerai, launched the first prototype of a diver's watch.

In 1937, the production of Radiomir watches for the Italian Navy was launched. The models featured a large cushion-shaped case with a width of 47 mm., wire loops, screw down crown, luminous dial easy to read under water in the dark and a hand-wound mechanical movement supplied by Rolex. The bracelet was made of oiled and punched leather and with its extra-long length it could be worn over the diving suit.