Expect to see some of the finest inventions and creations developed by the Laboratorio di Idee (All photos: Panerai)
The watch aficionado keen to explore a rich story of heritage might want to make an appointment at any of eight Panerai boutiques worldwide that are scheduled to host a series of historical exhibitions. Unique timepieces selected from the brand’s archives will showcase the legacy of the 161-year-old Florentine watchmaker.
Expect to see some of the finest inventions and creations developed by the Laboratorio di Idee that exemplify the inextricable link between innovation and tradition as practised at Panerai. Some of the original features will even be instantly recognisable because of their presence in contemporary instruments.
The Ginza boutique in Tokyo, for instance, will showcase the rare PAM046 Radiomir GMT Alarm, the first Panerai timepiece to feature a 40mm case. In the meantime, the Shanghai K11 store will celebrate the chronograph, which it has experimented with since the 1940s, through exceptional models such as the PAM047 Radiomir Chrono Split-Seconds with a flyback function. Singapore’s ION Orchard boutique, similarly, will fete the watchmaker’s expertise in this complication, with the research and development of new materials best expressed in the titanium PAM072 Luminor Chrono.
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Other branches participating in this initiative include the Milan Montenapoleone flagship store and boutiques at London’s Bond Street, Beverly Hills Rodeo Drive, New York’s Hudson Yards and the Miami Design District.
Juxtaposed against these legacy models will be the latest novelties on display at each store, highlighting both the evolution of Panerai’s timepieces as well as the timelessness of some of its most incredible innovations. For the devoted fan of the brand, an exhibition such as this is a rare opportunity to contextualise one of the most prolific luxury watchmakers in the industry.
This article first appeared on Sept 13, 2021 in The Edge Malaysia.
