When Guido Panerai, grandson of brand founder Giovanni Panerai, secured a contract with the Italian Navy to provide luminescent equipment, Officine Panerai moved from being just a manufacturer of diving instruments to becoming one of the most influential watchmakers in the world. The company's prized invention was a zinc sulphide and radium bromide concoction which they patented as 'Radiomir'. The radium, a radioactive substance that releases alpha and gamma rays as it decays, reacted with the zinc sulphide in such a way that made it glow. The company used its radium-based luminescent paint on various devices such as night-sights, compasses, depth gauges and calculators.
Movement: Hand-wound mechanical, Panerai P.2005/B calibre, executed entirely by Panerai, 16? lignes, 9.1 mm thick, 31 jewels, Glucydur? balance, 28,800 alternations/hour. KIF Parechoc? anti-shock device. Power reserve 6 days, three barrels. 239 components. Movement components with black galvanic coating
Dial Color: Hand-wound mechanical, Panerai P.2005/B calibre, executed entirely by Panerai, 16? lignes, 9.1 mm thick, 31 jewels, Glucydur? balance, 28,800 alternations/hour. KIF Parechoc? anti-shock device. Power reserve 6 days, three barrels. 239 components. Movement components with black galvanic coating