As supplier to the Royal Italian Navy and specialist in high-precision mechanisms, Panerai perfected the world’s first underwater timepieces in the 1930s, which were not only waterproof at 650 feet, but luminescent as well. Until recently these beautifully designed and technically proficient watches were known only to the Italian military and to a select group of connoisseurs, but today they have become a worldwide phenomenon avidly collected by sportsmen and "Paneristi" throughout the world.Original photography commissioned for the volume highlights the unique technical aspects of Panerai designs, with special sections devoted to the precision instruments invented for the Italian navy, and to international collectors such as Sylvester Stallone and Mike Horn, who wore a Panerai Arktos designed especially for him while making the first-ever solo circumnavigation of the Arctic Circle from 1999–2000. An extensively researched catalogue raisonné of the firm’s collections and archives provides a unique resource for collectors and watch specialists.

About The Author

Simon de Burton is a watch specialist and frequently contributes articles on antiques and collectibles to The Financial Times. He authored The New Motorcycle Yearbook series.Giampiero Negretti is a watch expert and editor-in-chief of the Italian newspaper Il Giornale. He has written several books on Panerai including Legendary Watches and Panerai Historia: From the Depths of the Sea. He has co-authored books on other luxury timepieces including Patek Philippe, Piaget Watches and Wonders Since 1874, Masters of Time, Longines Watches, and Le Temps du Cartier.