After Officine Panerai had been taken over by the Vendôme Group (now RICHEMONT), in 1997, Panerai reached the worldwide popularity, significantly improving the quality of its products. A year after, the Italian watchmaker launched its first timepieces with automatic mechanisms: Luminor Submersible professional diver’s watch; Luminor GMT, with a second time zone indication, and Luminor Power Reserve, with a power-reserve indicator, displayed on the dial. Practically, these watches were the announcement for the new collection to be presented in the following year.
At the International Salon of Haute Horologerie in Geneva, Panerai revealed this new Contemporary Collection which featured various innovations in the terms of size, functionality and materials. For the first time, Panerai created timepieces with chronograph functions and presented the new design of Luminor case, with a patented winding crown guard. However, Panerai preserved military style and a unique vintage look that makes this brand distinctive among other hi-end watchmakers.
The Radiomir line also entered the Contemporary Collection, thus extending the choice with a very unusual chronograph with three sub-dials, as well as with a superb Radiomir 10 Days GMT.