Only Watch

Monte Carlo, Sep 22, 2005

LOT 24

Officine Panerai, The Radiomir GMT, The ?Only Watch 2005? platinum ?Radiomir GMT?, Pièce Unique.

EUR 45,000 - 55,000

Sold: EUR 76,000

Case: Three piece, cushion-shaped, platinum, screw-down crown and transparent case back, wire lugs, sapphire crystals. Dimensions: 42 x 42 mm. Thickness: 11,8 mm. Dial: Black, pierced Arabic numerals and bâton indexes over a luminous disk, date aperture at 3, subsidiary seconds at 9, outer 24-hour scale for the second time-zone. Luminous rhodium plated ?Baton? hands. Movement: Caliber OP XIII, 11 1/2???, rhodium plated, ?fausses-côtes? decoration, 35 jewels, 40-hour power reserve, straight-line lever escapement, Glucydur balance with four timing screws, self-compensating flat balance spring, 28,800 VPM.


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In 1860, Giovanni Panerai (1825-1897), founder of the family business, opened the first watchmaker's shop in Florence on the Ponte alle Grazie; he was succeeded by his son, Leon Francesco. Guido Panerai (1873-1934), the founder?s grandson, expanded his grandfather's business and began specializing in high-precision mechanisms, becoming official supplier to the Royal Italian Navy. Around the turn of the 20th century, the shop moved to the Piazza San Giovanni in Florence, where the Panerai boutique is still to be found today. During this period, the first precision optical and mechanical instruments were delivered to the Defense Ministry. During the 1930s the Panerai Radiomir watch gained renown for its ability to withstand extreme conditions, and became widely used by the military. After the death of Giuseppe Panerai, the son of Guido, the company came under the direction of engineer Dino Zei and the family firm became known as Officine Panerai S.R.L..