One hundred years after its Florentine boutique opening, Panerai debuts an exhibition detailing its history, from conception as a family workshop in 1860 to its present-day innovations in exceptional performance. “Immersion” explores the story behind Panerai’s watch evolution and the brand’s relationship to Florence, with its century-long storefront gazing upon the emblematic Duomo in Piazza San Giovanni. In the depths of the Museo Marino Marini crypt, “Immersion” weaves together the history of the watchmaking workshop and school and the family’s partnership with the Italian Navy to create high-performance instruments capable of intense operations. 

Only revealed to the public in 1993, Panerai partnered with the Italian Navy in the 1910s, with the first timepiece crafted for the Navy in 1935. Utilizing innovative Radiomir to illuminate the watch’s surface, Panerai remained at the forefront of operational experimentation in watches. At “Immersion,” visitors understand what necessitated these creations through an interactive exhibit simulating deep dives. Moving into the present-day demands of technical proficiency, “Immersion” explores the challenges of frozen tundras, thick jungles, and oceanic expanses. Additionally, Panerai displays nautical instruments alongside timepieces, demonstrating the relationship between competitive water sports and adventurous navigation. 

Accompanying the historic exhibition, Panerai is releasing two new watch designs, the PAM01734 and the PAM01794 from the Luminor Firenze 8 Giorni collection, with inspiration from an archival timepiece. Merging the two unique identities of the brand, the watches integrate military precision with Florentine passion. Withstanding 300-feet dives and featuring a patented steel alloy, the watches offer an eight-day power reserve and seamless winding technology, supporting soldiers on every type of mission. From the 1960 reference 6152/1, Panerai inscribed “Firenze” on the dial and a crown-protecting bridge meant to aid divers in winding the watch, improving accessibility in high-pressure and low-light situations. Tuscan leather forms the wristband, stamped with the Florentine lily, a final mark of Panerai’s devotion to its heritage.