Manufacturer: Panerai Year: 2004 Reference No: PAM00814 Case No: BB1172977 Model Name: Luminor Sealand for Purdey, Elephant Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Automatic, Calibre OP III, 21 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Brown Panerai calf leather strap Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Panerai buckle Dimensions: 44 mm. width Signed:Case, dial and movement signed, case further engraved G092/100
Catalogue Essay
Founded in 1814, James Purdey & Sons Limited is a celebrated British sporting shotgun and rifle maker. Panerai first partnered with this renowned British gun maker in 2002 and launched a series of Luminor Sealand wristwatches featuring hand engraved hinged cover with different motifs. Each cover is crafted in the same manner as the sides of the guns produced by Purdey and are set with a mirror on the inside lid, which can be turned into a signalling instrument when it is opened.
The dial of this present PAM00814 is concealed underneath a hinged cover finely hand crafted with an elephant hunting scene. These creations are entirely engraved by hand and may require up to 100 hours of work. Offered in like new condition, this present watch is numbered 92 of a limited edition of 100 pieces only.
Known for its robust designs and large case sizes, Officine Panerai was established in 1860 by Giovanni Panerai in Florence, Italy. Around 1900, Giovanni's grandson Guido Panerai took over, and Panerai became the supplier to the Regia Marina — the Royal Italian Navy. After supplying the navy with high-precision instruments for a number of years, Officine Panerai created Radiomir, a radium-based powder that gives luminosity to the dials of sighting instruments and devices. By 1936, the Royal Italian Navy approached Panerai again with the request to design a watch resistant to extreme underwater conditions. The watch they created became known as the "Radiomir".
Panerai's watches made during the early twentieth century era were comprised of cases designed and manufactured by Rolex SA, with Cortébert, a Swiss manufacturer, supplying the majority of their movements. The most recognizable designs from the firm are the Radiomir and Luminor. To date, vintage models from the first half of the 1900s, such as the reference 3646 and 6152 models, remain the most desirable among collectors.