Panerai - Watches and Wonders Booth 2026

At Watches and Wonders Geneva 2026, Panerai invites visitors into its underwater world. The booth unfolds as an immersive marine environment, where past and present converge in a dialogue of function and innovation.

At its heart stands a powerful symbol: a reproduction of the historic Vasca Panerai, a training tank designed by Panerai and installed in 1966 at the COMSUBIN base (Comando Raggruppamento Subacquei e Incursori) in Le Grazie (La Spezia, Italy) and still actively used. The structure serves as a controlled environment to observe and refine underwater technique and equipment handling by the Italian Navy’s specialist diving units. It was designed so instructors could observe divers’ movements through the transparent methacrylate panels from the outside, making training safer and more measurable. The structure used a lightalloy frame supporting adjoining panels bolted together, built to maintain watertightness. It also featured an upper platform accessible via external stairs and an internal access ladder. Far from an artifact, it is a living testament to the brand’s enduring relationship with the sea, an element that has shaped its identity from the very beginning.

It was water that defined one of Panerai’s most important breakthroughs. In 1935, responding to the needs of the Royal Italian Navy, the Maison presented its first dive watch. Two decades later, the invention of the crown protecting bridge would transform the historical model into the icon that today, we call Luminor — an innovative solution born from a critical constraint. Within the tank, archival instruments and contemporary testing technologies reveal a continuous pursuit: pushing water resistance performance beyond limits, generation after generation.

This spirit carries through to the latest Luminor creations. The new four hand-wound models - Luminor PAM01731, Luminor Destro PAM01732, Luminor 8 Giorni PAM01733, and Luminor PAM01735 – are a direct tribute to the functional design of the iconic reference 6152/1, dating back to the 1960s, now translated into contemporary 44mm and classic 47mm sizes. Immediately recognizable are the iconic Luminor elements such as the robust cushion case, the distinctive crown-protective bridge, the vintage domed sapphire crystal, and the signature sandwich dial. Vintage touches are evident in every detail, from the cases, dials, and straps.

Along the visit, time itself becomes a journey. The Radiomir Viaggio nel Tempo Experience Set invites owners to retrace the places and moments where Panerai’s story was shaped— through two timepieces created as keys to a voyage through time. The Watch Set unlocks the access to this Experience, combining Radiomir design codes with large hand-wound movements chosen for reliability and performance.

Continuing the exploration of Panerai’s pillars, visitors enter the field of innovation— where, for Panerai, progress is always tangible. It lives in materials—chosen not only for appearance, but for their properties and the performance they provide. Bronze, Ceramic, Titanium, up to advanced composites such as Carbotech™ and Ti-Ceramitech™, each one is a response to Panerai’s purpose-driven DNA.

In 2026, this exploration reaches new ground. Forged Titanium makes its debut, created by bonding two titanium grades under heat and pressure. The forging process reveals natural wave-like layers across the case—no two patterns are the same—giving each watch a distinct surface character while preserving titanium’s lightness and resistance. Alongside it, Afniotech™ enters watchmaking with a case material composed of more than 95% hafnium. Hafnium is a rare metal found only in small concentrations within zirconium ores and valued for its density, mechanical strength, and exceptional corrosion resistance. Its ability to absorb neutrons has made it essential in nuclear environments, and it is also used across advanced industries where reliability under pressure is critical.

Time, too, is pushed further. Panerai’s pursuit of power reserve, once driven by necessity, becomes a field of expression. From early extended power reserves provided by historical calibres to contemporary ones, this journey culminates in a remarkable achievement: a 31 day power reserve, a new horizon in Panerai mechanical endurance. The patented torque limiter, together with the automatic stop, allows for the most stable 31-day power reserve, drawn from a potential 36-day reserve delivered by the four barrels of the new P.2031/S.

From innovation born in the depths to instruments built for life above sea level, Panerai’s collections unfold as a continuum—each grounded in purpose, each shaped by the same functional mindset. Luminor follows as the emblem of Panerai’s functional design, defined by the distinctive crown protective bridge and tested to resist shock, pressure, and the elements. At sea and on land, it remains a reliable tool for modern heroes: your watch for any adventure. Submersible was conceived for military missions and underwater exploration, where time readability is a matter of survival. With luminosity at the origin of Panerai’s history with the Italian Navy, it keeps pushing the limits of water resistance and visibility in the dark: your professional instrument for exploration. Radiomir returns to the origin, honoring the design of the first Panerai created in 1935. Built for the Navy, it is the watch of the captain, forged to sail the open seas: Io, Comandante del Tempo.

As the journey concludes, a clear vision emerges: heritage as foundation, innovation as momentum, together shaping Panerai’s enduring pursuit of performance.

Founded in Florence in 1860, Panerai began as a workshop, shop, and subsequently school of watchmaking. This foundational expertise soon led to forging a pivotal partnership with the Royal Italian Navy, commencing in the 1910s, with initial commissions to design precision instruments and leading in 1935 to the development of its first dive watch prototype, Ref. 2533, with a luminescent Radiomir dial. For many decades thereafter, Panerai maintained its role as a highly secretive supplier to Italian Navy commandos, manufacturing tool watches and high-precision instruments built to withstand their challenging missions.

The defining technical features Panerai developed to meet the Italian Navy specifications— exceptional luminescence, superior water resistance, extended power reserve, and robust construction—remained a military secret until 1993. That year marked a key moment: the introduction of the first watches to the civilian public, including the first Luminor 44mm, whose now-iconic crown protecting bridge and bold design would soon achieve international recognition.

In 1997, Richemont acquired Panerai, leading to its debut at SIHH (Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie) in 1998. This event propelled Panerai’s rise as a prominent international brand within the watchmaking industry.

Today, Panerai honors its heritage by manufacturing its movements and watches at its Neuchâtel manufacture since 2002, where cutting-edge technology and Swiss precision converge with Italian design. Panerai watches are available worldwide through a carefully selected network of distributors and boutiques.

For more information, please visit panerai.com