Panerai Radiomir Annual Calendar PAM01364

Panerai Radiomir Annual Calendar PAM01364 Watch Review

The Panerai Radiomir Annual Calendar PAM01364 joins the historic Radiomir collection. The model’s release coincides with the opening of Casa Panerai, located on the prestigious Avenue de Champs Elysées, Paris. Angus Davies discusses watch retailing, Panerai’s expanding retail network and its latest über-luxurious model, housed in the firm’s proprietary alloy, Platinumtech.

Watch retailing

In recent years, consumers have witnessed inexorable changes in retailing. Indeed, shopping is no longer a leisure pursuit exclusive to the high street. The meteoric rise of online sales has led to some provincial high streets resembling wastelands. Quite simply, the process of purchasing goods and services appears to have changed irrevocably.

Nevertheless, consistent with the free market, the opportunities for growth await those with the necessary acumen to succeed. Take watch retailing, for instance, legions of horophiles now select products online. There are no issues with parking and product availability is often declared before credit card details are needed. For many would-be wearers, online retailing makes much sense.

However, there are some consumers who wish to see a product in person, try it on for size and employ all of their senses to appraise a watch prior to flexing the plastic. It would appear there is much sense in offering prospective clients both physical and virtual shopping experiences.

Image – Casa Panerai, Paris

Buying a Panerai watch

Panerai clearly subscribes to this point of view. Its website offers a vast array of models that can be purchased online, simply with just a few taps of the keyboard. However, the brand has also opened a series of new physical stores, subscribing to the traditional ‘bricks and mortar’ approach.

Image – Casa Panerai, New York

Last year, the firm opened a new boutique in Geneva, releasing a special edition model, the PAM02121, to mark the event. Back in August, the Manufacture opened Casa Panerai New York, its largest boutique. To coincide with the inauguration of this sumptuous store, the firm released a limited edition, the aptly named Panerai Luminor BiTempo New York Edition PAM01467. Earlier this month, the luxury marque engaged in another spot of ribbon cutting and, you guessed it, released the Luminor Marina Milan Edition PAM02319.

Image – Panerai Luminor BiTempo New York Edition PAM01467

Image – Panerai Luminor Marina Milan Edition PAM02319

As a self-confessed Paneristi, I never tire of the prestigious brand releasing small numbers of these characterful pieces. On the contrary, these watches subscribe to the firm’s Italianate styling while at the same time delivering something new.

Image – Casa Panerai, Milan

Casa Panerai, Paris

Now, the historical company, famous for supplying the Royal Italian Navy with a variety of luminescent instruments and divers’ watches, has opened a new boutique in Paris. This 19th-century building, located at 120 Avenue de Champs Elysées is a must-visit store for all self-respecting horophiles, especially ardent members of the Paneristi. Watches are spread across two floors, presented in a spacious well-lit environment. With attentive staff close by to assist with enquiries, brand devotees can employ all of their senses when making their selection.

Image – Casa Panerai, Paris

Panerai Radiomir Annual Calendar PAM01364 – a refined offering

Before you ask, the brand has indeed released something special to coincide with the opening of its Paris store and it’s a beauty. The Panerai Radiomir Annual Calendar PAM01364, a boutique exclusive, is on display within the Casa Panerai Paris. Unlike the aforementioned models which were limited, this watch is available in the brand’s own boutiques as well as via its online store. This watch may not be limited, but be under no misapprehension, it is a very special timepiece.

For the benefit of brand newbies, the first Radiomir prototype was produced in 1935. It was developed for the Royal Italian Navy and first saw service in 1938. The Panerai Radiomir Annual Calendar PAM01364 shares a close family resemblance to the inaugural military specification model. However, where the 1938 watch was unabashedly utilitarian, the new PAM01364 brims with refinement, elegance and luxury.

Panerai Radiomir Annual Calendar PAM01364 – dial and case

The sun-brushed dial features a degradé finish with moss green hues at the centre transitioning to black tones near the periphery. Upholding Panerai tradition, the hands and indexes incorporate Super-LumiNova, aiding readability in dim light conditions. The Panerai Radiomir Annual Calendar PAM01364 is housed in a 45 mm polished Platinumtech™️ case. This proprietary alloy is said to ‘maintain platinum’s deep lustre’ while also being ‘harder and more resistant to scratching than traditional platinum’.

Panerai Radiomir Calendario Annuale

The pièce de résistance is undoubtedly the eponymous ‘Annual Calendar’. This highly desirable complication has the mechanical wherewithal to identify whether the prevailing month is 30 or 31 days in length, automatically advancing to the 1st day of the following month as appropriate. The only time the wearer needs to manually adjust the date is at the end of February.

Despite its obvious complexity, the dial of the Panerai Radiomir Annual Calendar PAM01364, aka Calendario Annuale, is simple to read. The day and date are shown via discrete apertures at 3 o’clock. Each month is presented on a rotating disc, with the prevailing month indicated with a triangular index adjacent to the crown.

Panerai – more horological delights await

There’s no question that online shopping proffers unrivalled convenience; however, it’s my belief that nothing matches the shopping experience provided by a ‘bricks and mortar’ store. Casa Panerai, the luxury brand’s unique take on watch retailing indulges horophiles with a retail experience par excellence. Indeed, each boutique presents the firm’s products in the best way possible and allows the wearer to examine timepieces at close quarters with sales staff readily on hand to answer any technical enquiries. And lastly, for those brand devotees looking for something different, future store openings promise more hitherto unseen horological delights.