Officine Panerai Radiomir Eilean Experience

Last year, Panerai released a special limited edition as an homage to the historic Eilean yacht, which was bought and restored by Officine Panerai. The Italian-Swiss watch brand renowned for their aquatic origins, decided to highlight the maritime DNA of the Radiomir collection. Now they’ve returned with the even more exclusive “Officine Panerai Radiomir Eilean Experience”.Before moving into the specs let’s take a brief history lesson and once again recall why this Radiomir has been named “Eilean”. For those that don’t remember the Eilean is a yacht designed by the leading boat builder William Fife III at the Fife shipyard, Scotland. 

It sailed the European and Caribbean seas for over half a century until being anchored. After that it remained land-locked and forgotten, until being purchased and restored by Panerai in 2006.The cushion-shaped 45mm case is made of patina steel with a matte finish that casts a naturally-aged look. An appropriate choice aimed at evoking nostalgic sentiments, which was also present in the previous Eilean edition, but is a special treatment rarely used by the brand.Mounted to the case is a bronze bezel for a slight contrast and touch of color, against the main steel case. It features the iconic thin wire-style lugs, often seen on the Radiomir model and comes equipped with a knurled setting-crown, also made of bronze and embossed with the “OP” logo.On the flip-side is a solid steel case back with exposed screws, while the center portion is adorned with a bronze medallion emblazoned with an inscription that reads “EILEAN 1936”.Plus the caseband has also been engraved by a bronze filling, with the same inscription of the historic yacht that inspired this model. In essence (just like the previous Eilean edition) what we have here is a modern interpretation of the classic “Radiomir” models dating back to the 1930’s. All topped with a sapphire crystal that secures a water-resistance of up to 100 meters (330 feet).Time is exhibited on the iconic Panerai sandwich dial in blue with the hour index markers and the Arabic numerals: 3, 6, 9 and 12. The textured surface is characterized by a teak deck-inspired nuanced pattern, meant to resemble the deck of the Eilean ship it’s named after.It comes equipped with gold plated central hands that elegantly blend with the under layer of its sandwich dial. The divided hour hand is a nice, subtle, vintage detail usually only seen on historic Radiomir models.The hands, hour index markers and Arabic numerals have all been fitted with a green luminescent hue, for an enhanced legibility. 

Officine Panerai Radiomir Eilean Experience

The “Officine Panerai Radiomir Eilean” (Ref#: PAM01244) is powered by the hand-wound in-house mechanical movement, caliber P.6000 with 19 jewels, 15 ½ lignes and 21,600 Vph. It comes equipped with a transversal cock-bridge with twin supports, for a reinforced reliability. Power reserve on this watch can last up to 72 hours (3 days), when fully woundMounted on the watch is a Scamosciato brown calfskin leather strap with contrasting beige stitching and an ‘Eilean’ embossed logo, secured to the wrist by a patina steel trapezoidal buckle. This will be a limited edition of only 50 pieces per year. For more up to date information visit the official Officine Panerai website here.

 

Officine Panerai, Panerai, Radiomir, Eilean, Yacht, Bronze, Luxury Watches