Following the Royal Italian Navy's approach to them and other watch brands in 1935 to build a watch that was highly water-resistant and legible in unfavourable conditions, Panerai began the development of a divers watch. In 1936 Panerai developed 10 prototype watches and submitted them for testing. This prototype was called the Radiomir, after the radioactive substance used to paint its hands and indices. Production of the watch for use by the military began in 1938 with Panerai adhering to strict guidelines from the Italian Navy – a long water-proof strap wearable over a diving suit, a hand-wound mechanical movement, luminescent indices and numerals and a large dial. These guidelines became more stringent in 1940 when the Navy requested that the watch could resist extreme tension and had better water resistance. To meet these needs, Panerai designed a new case for the Radiomir, so the lugs were not just welded onto the case but milled from the same block as the case and a small second's dial was also added to the 9 o'clock position for more accurate time-keeping, which could prove life or death when underwater and when resurfacing. Since its early days, the Radiomir has become an iconic part of Panerai’s offering and today it is one of the best-known models. Offered here we have the Radiomir ref. PAM00577 with a 48mm black ceramic case with traditional lugs in place of the Radiomir’s typical wire lugs, a black sandwich dial and a DLC-coated titanium exhibition caseback that reveals its manual-wind cal. P.3000 movement.

The watch is in overall excellent condition. The black ceramic case has a few light marks on the case sides and some more noticeable scratches on the backs of the lugs. The dial is like new. The watch is fitted with a rubber strap and a Panerai pin buckle with some light surface marks. Comes complete with full box and papers.

With an imposing black ceramic case, a dark sandwich dial, and a modern take on Panerai's signature aesthetic, the Radiomir 1940 PAM577 offers a contemporary look at a function-focused tool watch that blends innovation with style.