Panerai White Dial Radiomir, Pre SIHH 2016

Panerai watches are well-known for their simple, uncomplicated yet elegant designs. Yet, it is always fascinating to witness the different iterations of their watches every year. The Panerai Radiomir 1940 3 Days Automatic Acciaio is one such watch. This rare Panerai white dial watch is one of the first watches that will be officially launched at the Salon International De La Haute Horlogerie or SIHH 2016, in Geneva.

The Panerai Radiomir 1940 3 Days Automatic Acciaio watch should make even the non-Paneristi (Panerai’s cult followers) excited. This men’s watch is the first from the Radiomir 1940 3 Days Automatic collection to feature a white dial. Not that white dial Panerai watches are a recent rage. But, if you visit Panerai’s official website, you will find that dark colour dials dominate their collection. The plain white dial with the large painted Arabic numerals, absolutely gives the watch a sporty look. The indexes are simple dots made of luminous material. But they have an artificial patina look for that vintage appearance. Arabic numeral 9 is omitted from the dial. In place of it, is a sub-dial for the seconds hand.

‘Paneristies’ fall in the category of people who like big timepieces. Because the usual diameter of Panerai watch cases ranges anywhere between 45 mm to 48 mm. But this Panerai is much smaller then that dial size bracket. A 42 mm Panerai is quite unusual. This comparatively smaller Panerai is produced in a stainless steel cushion case. The case is not only smaller but also slimmer, measuring only 10.9 mm in thickness. The slimness of the case is majorly due to the new in-house produced P.4000 caliber.

The self-winding mechanical movement features double barrels which are responsible for 3 days of power reserve. Panerai white dial’s movement can be witnessed in action through a circular transparent sapphire glass on rear. Further, the movement consists of an off-centered micro-rotor with “Officine Panerai” logo. The off-centered rotor compared to a centrally mounted rotor requires less space. This helped in reducing the thickness of the movement to only 3.95 mm. Making the watch sit very low and comfortable, even on small wrists.

Panerai white dial watch is equipped with a brown colored natural, untreated leather strap with cream stitching. Panerai Radiomir 1940 3 Days Automatic Acciaio PAM655 is fundamentally a sports watch. It’s case is water resistant up to 10 ATM (a depth of up to 100 meters). However, with the bright white and clean dial and the simple design elements all put together in a medium sized case, it can be carried off as a casual dress watch too. Price White Dial Panerai Watch 2016 SIHH launch is 9,700 Euros.

*Words by Yogen Bobde