Panerai was founded in Florence, Italy, in 1860 by Giovanni Panerai as a watchmaker’s shop, workshop, and the city’s first watchmaking school. The brand became known for supplying precision instruments to the Royal Italian Navy, most notably its Radiomir and Luminor models featuring highly legible dials and robust cases. Originally using Rolex movements and cases, Panerai watches were military secrets for decades. In the 1990s, the brand transitioned to the civilian market, gaining international recognition for its bold, minimalist designs. Today, Panerai blends Italian design with Swiss watchmaking expertise under the Richemont Group.