Guido Panerai's family had been supplying precision instruments, such as naval combat sights, for the Italian Royal Navy. In order to meet these military requirements, a radium-based powder was developed to make the dials brighter, in collaboration with Lieutenant Commander Carlo Ronconi: this is how the Radiomir was born. 

The reference to the name "Radiomir" was documented in the addendum of the patent filed in France on March 23, 1916. The high self-luminescence of the compound immediately makes radium paste a key element in Panerai's production. The Radiomir patent was the first of the many patents filed to celebrate Panerai's history of innovation.

On 11 January 1949, Panerai registers the name Luminor as a trademark in respect of the luminescent and self-luminescent materials used in its watches. Giuseppe Panerai realises that the link with radioactivity has to be handled with caution, considering the new reality created by the expansion of impressive military and civil atomic technologies. He decides that the luminescent substances should be less radioactive than Radium, and have a more neutral name. After more than a decade, the Luminor is recognised with a new luminescent tritium-based substance (a hydrogen isotope), with very low and harmless emissions. This is the result of many studies and experiments, and Luminor gradually became, by convention of use, the name identifying Panerai’s diving timepiece, characterized by the crown-protection bridge.

With the increasing involvement in underwater operations, the Navy's requirements become even more specific after the Second World War: military watches have to remain underwater in extreme conditions for long periods of time. In 1954, two new references, the Ref.6152 and the Ref. 6154, are tested. 

Some of today's models are inspired by them, as they incorporate some innovations designed to make the construction even more solid and resistant: the case is made from a single block with fixed handles, retaining the cushion shape, with more pronounced edges on the sides. They receive a general aesthetic revision of the individual parts and adopt a screw-down winding crown, tubular cylindrical replacing the conical cylindrical of the historic Radiomir. 

After careful analysis of the tests, some modifications are made and the definitive reference 6152/1 is born, also with reinforced lugs and made from solid steel from the same block as the case.

The evolution of the Panerai Ref. 6152/1 watch continues unabated in the 1960s. In the process of assembling the overlapping disc dials, known as sandwich dials, the use of radium-based paste disappears, and with it the name Radiomir. The luminescence now comes from a new low-radiation tritium-based compound which takes the name Luminor. The crown-protection bridge is inserted and adapted to the middle case of the Ref. 6152/1 case. In roughly 80 units, a Swiss-made Angelus SF 240 mechanical calibre is adopted for the first time, with an 8 Days power reserve. The power reserve thus becomes a fundamental element in the DNA of the brand. In some models the solid and closed case-back is replaced by one with a transparent center made of acrylic glass, allowing the mechanism to be seen. Panerai is therefore one of the pioneers in the production of watches with a visible case back. Another fundamental chapter in Panerai's production, which particularly develops in this period, concerns the precision instruments created and supplied at the Italian Navy's request: compasses, wrist-depth gauges with different calibrations, and underwater signal lights to compensate for the pressure, which provide greater resistance at great depths.

Also, in 1966 Panerai patented the Elux, an abbreviation of electroluminescence. Its name, derived from "Electro" and the Latin "Lux" for light, perfectly embodies Panerai's unique luminosity expertise.

The company's technical department designs a new diving watch, which incorporates all the technological developments in watchmaking and diving from the 1970s and 1980s, to be subjected to the severe tests used to specify the equipment of the Italian Navy. It is an innovative titanium timepiece with a diameter of 47 mm, still equipped with the typical lever crown protector, the rotating bezel, the dial of indexes as well as the hands formed by “Traser®” (microscopic cylindrical containers) containing the luminescent material. Tests confirm that this special Panerai watch can easily withstand more than 1000 metres, hence the name “Millemetri”.

In order to tackle the serious economic and political crisis that started worldwide in the late 80s, Officine Panerai decides to go into to the civil watch market, launching three models, originating from ten total references in numbered and limited editions: the 44 mm Luminor and Luminor Marina watches, and the 42 mm Mare Nostrum chronograph, which draw inspiration from the historical models created for the Underwater Commandos division of the Italian Navy. This relieves Ing. Zei, CEO of Officine Panerai, from maintaining military secrecy on these Panerai products. They quickly become highly sought-after items for collectors and enthusiasts. The presentation of the collection takes place on 10 September, 1993 in the Military harbour of La Spezia, on the Italian navy cruiser "Durand De La Penne". The ceremony is attended by Duke Amedeo D'Aosta, son of Sir Aimone di Savoia, the supreme head of the Italian diving department at the time.

After a meticulous refurbishment, Panerai's historic boutique is reopened. A restyling of the original Piazza San Giovanni premises in Florence, following the acquisition of the family shop by Officine Panerai. This boutique is a meeting point for brand collectors and enthusiasts, who can find not only pieces from the current collection, but also special edition watches and special productions that Panerai reserves exclusively for its boutiques.

Officine Panerai launches its first in-house movement, the P.2002: a hand-wound calibre with GMT function and an 8 Days power reserve, as in the Angelus movements used in the mid 1950s. 

The calibre takes its name from the year in which Officine Panerai inaugurated its production plant, a tribute to the watchmaking art of the Florentine brand.

The P.9000 calibre, primarily characterized by a 3 Days power reserve, is mounted on a series of Luminor and Radiomir models, while the P.2006 is an evolution of the P.2004 single-button chronograph calibre, with the addition of a split-second function controlled by a second button at 10 o'clock.

On the occasion of the 400th anniversary of his first celestial observations, Officine Panerai dedicates a triptych of exceptionally complex models to the Tuscan genius, Galileo Galilei: L’Astronomo, Lo Scienziato and the Jupiterium clock. Panerai's Jupiterium model is a planetary clock with perpetual calendar. It shows, from a geocentric perspective, the positions in the celestial sphere of the Sun, the Moon and Jupiter with the so-called Galilean Moons – i.e. its four main satellites, now known as Io, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto. These four satellites were observed for the first time by Galileo Galilei in 1610, thanks to the invention of the telescope. Officine Panerai launches the in-house P.999 movement and the first Panerai Composite watch at the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie.

Officine Panerai re-proposes the exclusive, historically inspired case with two special edition Radiomir models. Unlike the prototypes and the models in production at the end of the 1930s, some historical models (Ref.6152/1) produced in the 1950s had a case in which the lugs did not consist of a welded steel wire but were made from the same block as the case. Therefore, they were more solid and more resistant. The new Radiomir models re-propose this special case with a classic 47mm diameter, together with other elements inspired by historical models: acrylic glass to protect the dial, the circular, rounded bezel, and the cylindrical crown.

Officine Panerai opens its new Manufacture on the hills of Neuchâtel in Switzerland. The new building houses in a single location all the highly specialized skills involved in fine watch-making, combining the excellence of Italian Design and the tradition of Swiss-made Technology. Since 2002 - when the first Panerai Manufacture was opened - Panerai has developed a full range of in-house movements with watch functions at the highest levels: from the GMT to a complete range of Chronographs, from the extended Power Reserve to the unmistakable Panerai Tourbillon. In 2014 Panerai introduces the P.4000 calibre, an in-house automatic movement distinguished by its off-centred oscillating weight; a perfect synthesis of design and highly sophisticated watchmaking technology.

Panerai launches the Radiomir Minute Repeater Carillon Tourbillon. Technically the most complicated watch ever made by the Panerai Manufacture in Neuchâtel, provided with the exclusive tourbillon regulator and the remarkable double minute repeater mechanism chiming either local time or a second time zone. It is able to sound every hour, every ten minutes, and every single minute with a sophisticated system of gongs and hammers.

During SIHH 2018 Panerai presents two innovations, the first being Lo Scienziato-Luminor Tourbillon GMT with a 3D-printed Titanium case and the P.2005/T Skeletonized movement, with Tourbillon regulator. The Luminor Tourbillon GMT is one of the most technical and surprising creations of the Panerai Manufacture in Neuchâtel. 

The second complication of the year is L'Astronomo-Luminor 1950 Tourbillon Moon Phases Equation of Time GMT. The first of Officine Panerai’s creations to have a moon phase indication and an innovative system using polarized crystal to indicate the date. A classic complication of high-end watchmaking which Panerai interprets in its own way.

Exactly 70 years after having filed the international patent for using the name Luminor, Panerai creates a brilliant, innovative model with even greater luminosity: the Luminor Marina–44mm (PAM01117). It is guaranteed for 70 years. 

Also, in 2020 Panerai continues its evolutionary journey and redefines the expressive dimensions of the epic Luminor Marina. The new style for the Luminor Marina is intended to be simpler, functional and modern. 

For the 36th America’s Cup 2020, Panerai is partnered with Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Team. With the Luna Rossa collection, Panerai presents four iconic watches designed for the Team, the Challenger of Record for the 36th America's Cup 2020. It is with great pride that Panerai creates these timepieces, which represent a new Italian story associated with the sea, excellence and innovation.

Back to the roots for a year that is an homage to the authentic history of the brand and the Radiomir watches, the collection with the most historic association, strong vintage aesthetics in a contemporary reinterpretation. 2023 is the year to restage the most historic collection as a key pillar of the brand: Radiomir Otto Giorni, as tribute to Panerai’s heritage and history, Radiomir Quaranta, a synthesis of Italian flair and elegance, and Radiomir Complicazioni, the blend of Italian creativity and Swiss Watchmaking.

In 2025, Panerai presents a new Luminor Marina collection, an evolution of its icon built around upgraded technical features such as: 500 metres water resistance, open case back, a cross-balance bridge for improved shock resistance, small second hacking for precise time adjustment, and the convenient PAM click release systemTM.  

Built around the historic ref. 6152/1 case, this year’s Luminor selection revisits the collection through the lens of functional heritage. Emblematic proportions, legibility-first dials, vintage cues and contemporary execution come together in a family of tool watches shaped by Panerai’s military past and developed for present-day performance.

Innovation reaches a new pinnacle introducing for the first time 31 Days power reserve, an ambitious technical achievement from Panerai’s Laboratorio di Idee, retaining Panerai’s long lasting power reserve main feature. The Luminor remains Panerai's core identity, blending heritage and contemporary performance through technical and design developments. Built around the historic ref. 6152/1 case, this year’s Luminor selection revisits the collection through the lens of functional heritage. Emblematic proportions, legibility-first dials, vintage cues and contemporary execution come together in a family of tool watches shaped by Panerai’s military past and developed for present-day performance.