Panerai has just unveiled the Radiomir 1940 Chronograph, available only in gold or platinum. Heavily inspired by vintage chronographs, the Radiomir 1940 Chronograph powered by the OP XXV movement from Minerva.

Positioned as a top of the line model, the Radiomir 1940 Chronograph is a significant departure from the typical Panerai style. The watch is not based, or even inspired by, a specific Panerai model from the past, rather it combines various elements from Panerai and elsewhere. The cushion shaped case is distinctively Panerai, as are some of the dial elements, but the hands and tachymetre scale hark back to early twentieth century chronograph. Three versions of the Radiomir 1940 Chronograph are available, namely white or rose gold, or platinum, with slight dial variations between the trio. 

All three versions have 45 mm cases with a polished finish, fitted with Plexiglas crystals and a display back revealing the OP XXV calibre, which is actually the cal. 13-22 from Minerva. It is a traditionally constructed chronograph calibre, with a column wheel, horizontal coupling and a swan neck regulator.

The OP XXV calibre

The first of the three is the Radiomir 1940 Chronograph Platino PAM518, a limited edition of 50 pieces in platinum. This has an ivory dial with dot and baton indices, with gold hands for the time, and blued steel hands for the chronograph. The PAM518 retails for €59,900 (~US$81,200).

Next is the Radiomir 1940 Chronograph Oro Rosso PAM519 in red gold. Limited to 100 pieces, the PAM519 has a brown California dial with a combination of Arabic and Roman numerals. This retails for €44,900 (~US$60,800).

And the last is also a limited edition of 100 pieces, the Radiomir 1940 Chronograph Oro Bianco PAM520 in white gold. This is the only one of the three with a sandwich dial, with a Luminova coated plate sitting below the dial which has apertures cut out for the hour indices. This retails for €46,900 (~US$63,600).

The pricing for the Radiomir 1940 Chronograph is ambitious, especially considering the Montblanc Meisterstück Heritage Pulsograph also unveiled at SIHH 2014 has a similar, in fact slightly better finished movement, for €27,000, or about US$46,600). Delivery of the Radiomir 1940 Chronograph is expected sometime around late 2014. Keep an eye on our SIHH page for updates. Or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to keep track of the happenings at SIHH 2014.