G. Panerai & C. is a world-famous watch company that originated in Florence. The business began in 1860, when Giovanni Panerai opened his first shop on Ponte alle Grazie. Later, the watchmaker moved to its current location in Piazza San Giovanni, directly in front of the Baptistery. During this period, the shop took the name “Orologeria Svizzera” (Swiss Watchmaker) to emphasize the high quality of its products.
The company became very important thanks to its collaboration with the Italian Royal Navy. Soldiers needed instruments that were precise and readable underwater in the dark. For this reason, Panerai invented two special materials. In 1916, he patented Radiomir, a luminous powder that made watch dials visible at night. In 1949, the company created Luminor, a new, less radioactive material that gave its name to a very famous watch model.
In 1972, the company changed its name to “Officine Panerai.” In 1997, the Richemont Group acquired the brand and began selling the watches worldwide. Today, Panerai has a vast number of enthusiasts and collectors known as “Paneristi.” These collectors search everywhere for the brand’s limited and special editions. The history of Panerai continues to blend Florentine tradition with modern high-end watchmaking.
