Created to celibrate the centenary of German jewellers and watchmakers WEMPE, the Radiomir Chrono Special Edition was produced in a limited run of just 30 pieces. There are now just a handful of Panerai Special Edition watches left for the dedicated collector.

Actually founded in May 5, 1878, when 21-year-old certified watchmaker Gerhard Diedrich Wilhelm Wempe established his own company with a starting capital of 80 Deutsche Marks, WEMPE has gone on to become one of the world's leading jewellers and watchmakers. Panerai launched the Special Edition watch for WEMPE, celebrating the 100th anniversary of “WEMPE Chronometerwerke”, that is actual manufacturing and world-wide exporting of a wide range of watches and marine instruments.



Made in platinum, the watch also features the use of a top-of-the-range chronograph movement, the hand-wound mechanical calibre OP XVI (base Lémania 1972)with 12 lignes.The 42 mm diameter case, in its charecteristic 'cushion' shape, is entirely executed in platinum. The process of making it involves more than 60 complex operations, ensuring an exceptional degree of strength and accuracy. Water-resistance is guaranteed to a depth of 100 meters.

It has a screwed-in back with a transparent insert that lets the owner admire the movement inside the Radiomir case; '100 Jahre Wempe Chronometerwerke'is engraved on the back of this Special Edition, in addition to the identification number of the case, the number of the limited edition and the maximum pressure and depth of immersion.

The price for the Radiomir Chrono 42 mm Platinum Special Edition is 30.000 Euro. For further details contact your worldwide WEMPE store.

Text: Classic Driver
Photos: Panerai