To commemorate the centenary of its historic boutique located in Florence’s Piazza San Giovanni —inaugurated in 1926 as Orologeria Svizzera—, Panerai pays tribute to its artisanal roots and military legacy with the launch of the new Luminor Firenze 8 Giorni PAM01734 and PAM01794. These two limited editions, presented during the experiential exhibition Immersion at the Marino Marini Museum, take direct inspiration from a rare prototype of the mythical Reference 6152/1 from the 1960s belonging to a private collection.
Florentine Roots and the Legacy of Piazza San Giovanni
The firm’s history dates back to 1860, when Giovanni Panerai opened his first watchmaking workshop and school at Ponte alle Grazie. Following the damage suffered by the bridge, the business relocated several times before settling permanently in 1926 at the Archbishop’s Palace in Piazza San Giovanni. More than just a commercial space, this iconic enclave functioned as a workshop where watches were assembled and repaired, allowing Giuseppe Panerai to study the technical solutions of the leading Swiss brands of the era.
This close relationship with Swiss watchmaking and its confidential alliance with the Italian Navy —to which it supplied precision instruments until opening to the civilian public on September 10, 1993— shaped the technical identity of the house. Today, the centennial boutique maintains an active high watchmaking workshop and a private lounge overlooking the Florentine Baptistery.
🏛️ A Century of History in Florence
Inspiration from the Ref. 6152/1 Prototype
The new PAM01734 and PAM01794 reinterpret the classic cushion case in a contemporary 44 mm format, incorporating the historic inscription “Panerai Firenze” at 12 o’clock. As an exclusive detail, the Platinumtech™ version introduces for the first time a crown protection device with parallel grooves machined into its inner face, originally designed in the sixties to facilitate winding while wearing gloves or underwater.
P.5000 Manufacture Calibre and 8 Days of Power Reserve
Beating inside both timepieces is the robust hand-wound P.5000 calibre. Composed of 113 parts and 21 jewels, this in-house movement operates at a frequency of 21,600 alternations per hour (3 Hz) and utilizes two spring barrels coupled in series to deliver an impressive eight-day power reserve (192 hours), a historical standard designed to ensure maximum reliability during commando frogman missions.
Dials and Aesthetics: The Contrast Between Deep Green and Anthracite
The iconic sandwich dials feature a sophisticated circular brushed finish obtained through concentric micro-lines. The PAM01734 model combines a Platinumtech case —an alloy of platinum 85% harder than conventional platinum— with a gorgeous, deep green dial enhanced by warm gold hands. Meanwhile, the PAM01794 opts for a polished and satin-finished steel case accompanied by a hypnotic anthracite grey dial that creates a sensational contrast against the classic heat-blued hands.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Exceptional 8-day (192-hour) power reserve thanks to the in-house P.5000 calibre with double barrels.
- Recovery of high historical value details, such as the “Panerai Firenze” inscription and functional grooves on the crown protector of the PAM01734.
- Use of noble and advanced materials like Platinumtech™, providing high scratch resistance.
Cons:
- The 44 mm case and characteristic profile of the bridge protector create a very commanding presence on slender wrists.
- Very limited availability, especially for the platinum version, restricted to just 100 units worldwide.
Technical Specifications: Panerai Luminor Firenze 8 Giorni
| Specification | PAM01734 | PAM01794 |
|---|---|---|
| Limited Edition | 100 pieces | 1,000 pieces |
| Case / Dimensions | Platinumtech™ 44 mm; crown protector with machined parallel grooves | Polished and satin-finished steel 44 mm |
| Caseback / Crystal | Open sapphire crystal caseback; domed sapphire crystal | Solid steel caseback engraved with the boutique; domed sapphire crystal |
| Dial | Green sandwich dial with circular brushed finish and “Panerai Firenze” inscription | Anthracite grey sandwich dial with circular brushed finish and “Panerai Firenze” inscription |
| Movement | Hand-wound P.5000 manufacture calibre (21 jewels, 113 components) | Hand-wound P.5000 manufacture calibre (21 jewels, 113 components) |
| Frequency / Power Reserve | 21,600 alt/h (3 Hz) / 8 days (192 hours) | 21,600 alt/h (3 Hz) / 8 days (192 hours) |
| Water Resistance | 10 bar / 100 meters | 30 bar / 300 meters |
| Strap | Black Tuscan calfskin with Florentine lily + extra green rubber strap | Dark brown Tuscan calfskin with Florentine lily + extra black rubber strap |
| Presentation | Lacquered mahogany box with boutique commemorative plaque | Matte mahogany box with boutique commemorative plaque |
| Price | approx. €55,000 | approx. €10,700 |
