Lights, Camera, Action! Panerai On the Spotlight

When we hear the name Panerai, the words luxury, exclusivity, high-end timepiece, and Italian watch making heritage come to mind. Well, here is another word to add up to that list: celebrity. No surprise there, since Panerai has been a staple accessory to the rich and famous ever since this luxury timepiece was released in the mid-1800s. If you are planning on saving up for your very own Panerai piece, here is a helpful motivation for you: a list of celebrities who have been spotted sporting this famous Italian timepiece.

In movies, Panerai is worn by renowned action stars both on and off the movies. In Eraser, Arnold Schwarzenegger saves the day while wearing a Panerai Luminor Marina. In fact, the watch even gets its own frame in the movie. Another Hollywood action heavyweight, Sylvester Stallone, showcases the durability of Panerai in the movie, Daylight. Off the camera, Stallone was spotted back in 2009 while wearing the limited edition, 60mm Panerai Egiziano which is Panerai’s largest model. In Exit Wounds starring Steven Seagal and DMX, the latter displays his own Panerai 40mm Automatic Marina at the beginning of the film. Another Panerai enthusiast is British action heartthrob Jason Statham who dons a Panerai to complement his “Transporter” look. And while he was not seen wearing one in the movie, The Italian Job, he was seen proudly wearing his Panerai in the behind-the-scenes shots for the movie. Joining the A-list Panerai team is Hugh Grant who made sure to wear his luxury watch for his movies, Two Weeks Notice and Bridget Jones’ Diary. Meanwhile, WWE Superstar turned Hollywood action star Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson sports his own style of Panerai in the movie The Rundown as well as in his GQ magazine cover. Finally Josh Hartnett also joins the elite crew with his very own Marina Base in an old Velcro strap which he wears in the movie Hollywood Homicide.

For your own piece of Panerai action, check out ChongHing.com.

REFERENCE AND IMAGE SOURCE: http://www.paneristi.com/reference/Panaerai_in_movies/index.html

Panerai Watches: A Brief Stroll Down History Lane

When it comes to luxury watches, we know all about the Rolexes and the Patek Philippes but not many people know about one Italian brand that has been making top quality and exclusive timepieces since 1860. The name is Panerai and their story begins more than a century ago in Florence, Italy with a man named Giovanni Panerai. The original Panerai office in Ponte alle Grazie was the first watch making shop in the city. In 1900, under his grandson’s leadership, the company became the official supplier to the Royal Italian Navy, supplying not only watches but other precision instruments as well. At about the same time, the company also moved to Piazza San Giovanni where the flagship store stands today. The Panerai Radiomir and Panerai Luminor were designed to meet the rigorous requirements of the Italian underwater elite team. Panerai timepieces are recognizable by their understated elegance—black, large and with luminous Arabic numerals and sticks. The luminescence is achieved through a mix of zinc sulphide and radium bromide which was given the name radiomir, from which the watch takes its name. In 1949, the company was granted a patent for luminor, which is the substance that eventually replaced radiomir, which is also the origin of the name of the other marquee Panerai watch.

The Panerai Radiomir was inadvertently put in the spotlight at the height of the Second World War as Italian divers carried out bold operations whilst wearing the timepiece. Until the end of 1980, Panerai watches were reserved for military clients. It began opening its doors to the public in the early nineties but it was not until an acquisition by a company that also manages other luxury brands did Panerai gain wide, international attention. The classic Radiomir and Luminor in manual forms were re-launched, together with a collection of new, automatic Panerai watches inspired by the classics. In 2005, Panerai teamed up with Ferrari to create Panerai watches with the Ferrari trademark. The collaboration resulted in two product lines: the Granturismo and the Scuderia. Today, Panerai continues to be lined up with other luxurious watches as one of the worlds’ most coveted and respected brands.

Panerai Luxury Watches for First Time Buyers

Previously, we gave you the first part of how to spot fake Panerai luxury watches. While there are distinct differences between authentic and replica Panerai watches, it helps to know what to look for when purchasing Panerai timepieces. If this is your first time purchasing a Panerai watch, here are some tips to get you started.

1. Visit authorized Panerai retailers and distributors. Panerai has many authorized retailers worldwide and it shouldn’t be a problem locating one near you. Check out Panerai’s official website to locate the nearest distributor. Ask trusted friends who have already purchased Panerai watches where to find good sellers.


2. Stay away from auctions and private dealers. The best source to purchase your first Panerai watch is through authorized sellers. While there are a few who sell authentic Panerai timepieces, it’s always best to begin with trusted distributors.

3. Touch and feel an original Panerai watch. Handling an original Panerai watch will teach you details about the watch. Pay special attention to the smallest details. Use a magnifying glass if you have to. Authentic Panerai timepieces have legible and luminescent numbers and markers, making it one of the distinct features of an authentic Panerai watch.

4. As Panerai watches are often manufactured in a limited number, you’ll find that there are models that have serial numbers engraved on them. Research the brand’s official website for model numbers. Watches should have serial numbers on the watch bracelet. Look for them when you go shopping for your first Panerai watch.

5. As mentioned, the smallest details should be examined. Replica Panerai watches often have shorter hands and sometimes feature a different design. The bezel of most Panerai watches feature a uni-directional rotating bezel so study the feel of how bezels from Panerai rotate to know the difference from the fakes to the real ones. Gaps should not be present in Panerai bracelets and the edges should be smooth while the links should be solid enough.


6. Wear it before purchasing. The feel of an authentic Panerai watch is incomparable. It should be light-weight and comfortable because of the high quality materials used in manufacturing the watch.

So now you are about ready to invest in your first Panerai watch. Chong Hing Jewelers, an esteemed luxury goods distributor, carries the Manifattura line of Panerai luxury watches which feature six to ten day power reserves.

Spotting Fake Panerai Luxury Watches (Part I)

Italian brand Panerai is just one of the millions of victims of piracy. Because of the hard times that have befallen us, many have succumbed to purchasing counterfeit Panerai luxury watches just for the sake of owning one. With four major lines of watches that consist mostly of limited edition pieces, it is no doubt that Panerai is one of the world’s leading watchmakers thus making it a target for counterfeiters and end-users alike. To avoid getting scammed and purchasing a fake Panerai luxury watch, here are a couple of tips to help identify the authentic Panerai watches from the fakes.

1. A fake Panerai luxury watch also has a fake Panerai movement. Do not be surprised that watch movements are now even being faked. Fake movements commonly used in replica Panerai watches are the Valjoux 7750 and ETA 2824, which concidentally are also being used in fake IWC and Omega watches. Most fake watch manufacturers cover these movements with a solid case back. Authentic movements are now in cased backs covered with sapphire crystals to avoid unauhthorized reproduction.

2. Fake Panerai watches usually have a wrong font, that being Arial Light. When the movement is put inside the case, the letterings become upside down. Additionally, the regulator turns up and the crown becomes located in the left.


3. There are Panerai replicas that can copy even the most detailed decorations, making identifying a fake harder. Keep in mind that no Panerai replica has the swan neck and bridge modifications that was part of the modifications in 2002 to prevent counterfeiting.

4. Check for roughly polished stones as these are easily visible in fake Panerai watches. The unfinished look on the exposed parts of the watch should be the first clue to anyone interested in buying a Panerai watch. Luxury watches should be smooth, not hard or rough. It doesn’t take years of experience to realize that roughly polished stones are an indication of counterfeit Panerai watch.

5. Examine the shavings and screws of the watch. Panerai watches have blue screws that result from a heating process. Fake watch manufacturers just paint them blue so this should be easy to identify. Replica timepieces do not have the Panerai logo at the edges too.

Chong Hing Jewelers, an authorized Patek Philippe distributor, carries authentic Panerai watches as well as other Swiss watchmaking brands. Chong Hing also offers fine jewelry, loose gems, diamonds, gifts, and other accessories.