Panerai developed the Radiomir series back in 1936 to fulfill the Royal Italian Navy's timekeeping requirements underwater and in dark environments. However, over the years, the Radiomir series has evolved into a thing of beauty. It is now among some of the most fun timepieces to collect, and today, we will take a look at the Panerai 721 Radiomir as it is the closest recreation of the iconic Panerai 3646 that came out of the 1940s.
This watch comes equipped with a 47 mm diameter stainless steel case. The Radiomir 3 Days Special Edition includes the Radiomir’s famous slim wire lugs as well as the conical onion-shaped crown. The watch features a flat dial with 12, 3, 6 and 9 numerals, as well as clean hour markers in between.
What Does the Panerai PAM 721 Offer?
The Gorgeous Dial
Panerai PAM 721 Radiomir comes with a gorgeous and striking matte black dial with a rather basic and streamlined design. This watch features the iconic Panerai sandwich dial layout which many collectors love, given its added visual depth to the timepiece's overall look. The luminescence from it shines from the cutouts corresponding to the markers cut in the upper plate.
The latest Panerai Radiomir 3 Days Limited Edition PAM 721 is not only equipped with a plexiglass, but the watch also sports the characteristic blue-ish hands of historic Panerai watches.
Although the dial is “sterile” without Panerai written on the dial, the PAM 721 has the word "Panerai" similarly etched on the flange in a very subtle manner.
The Durable Case
The 47 mm cushion-formed case uses AISI 316L polished steel. Moreover, this durable case is water-resistant up to 100 meters due to its crown designed with screwed-in back and screw-down onion.
Much like many other historically influenced Panerai watches, the case features a 6 o’clock engraving with the OP label. No engraving is present around 12 o’clock like other historical versions.
Movement
The Panerai Radiomir 3 Days Special Edition PAM 721 uses the in-house caliber P.3000, which Panerai produced entirely in Neuchatel.
The transparent case back shows the revamped main plate with three bridges instead of two as in the earlier P.3000 transfers. This 21-jewel manual wound movement has a 72-hour power reserve (3 days).
The balancing wheel oscillates at a frequency of 21,600 vph when supported by a bridge with twin supports, a fixing which is both smoother and more robust relative to the single cantilevered bridge.
The caliber P.3000 also features a simple time change by a tiny spring clutch enabling the hour hand to be pushed one hour at a time without messing with the minute hand movement or the watch activity. This smooth transition and time update is amazing as compared to other movements in the market.
Watch Strap
The watch is fitted with a stunning Ponte Vecchio band with a wide polished pin buckle to improve the retro feel of this watch and its close link to its predecessors from the 1930s.
What Do We Have to Say?
The Panerai Radiomir 3 Days Limited Edition PAM 721 wears comfortably on the wrist, but feels slightly different from other Panerai watches in a 47 mm size.
Although it does not cater to all wrist sizes with its sturdy case structure and wider scale, this is a watch that doesn’t feel as huge until it is on the wrist. If the wrist is smaller than 7.25” in diameter, you will find it hard to carry this watch comfortably.
The latest PAM 721 is an incredibly retro-styled Panerai and a watch that would certainly be an item of talk around Paneristi. The watch is restricted to 1,000 limited pieces available exclusively at the Panerai Boutique in the Miami Design District.
If you already have a Panerai PAM 721 or other Panerai watch for that matter and want new watch straps to pair with it, DaLuca Straps is perfect for you. DaLuca Straps offers the best of the materials and craftsmanship. From leather watch straps to nylon watch straps, DaLuca Straps offers it all. The choice is yours.