Panerai was originally founded in 1860 as manufacturer of precision instruments. During the decades that followed the company registered numerous patents for inventions in the areas of watchmaking and optical equipment.

Up until the end of the 80's Panerai produced watches exclusively for the Italian army. Only since 1993 they have been available to the general public. To this day Panerai watches continue to meet the high technical requirements of the marine forces. 
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