FLORENTINE ARTISAN ENGRAVING
For the decoration of two special limited edition wristwatches featured in this auction, references PAM 672 and PAM 972, Panerai adopted the technique of traditional Florentine artisan engraving. Originating in the Italian city of Florence in the 15th Century, it is one of the most enduring crafts used in European jewellery and metalwork. The Florentine art of engraving has been preserved since the Renaissance by generations of talented goldsmiths who have passed the technique down through the ages using tools that have changed little in almost 600 years. The designs are created by employing different shapes and sizes of gravers, deceptively simple tools that consist of a sharp metal cutting end attached to a wooden handle, varying depths and angles are employed to form the intricate designs.
Both the ‘Luminor 1950 Firenze 3 Days’ (PAM00972) and the ‘Radiomir Firenze 3 Days’ (PAM00672) were highly exclusive editions limited to just 99 watches of each model and were available only in Florence, at Panerai’s historic store on the Piazza di San Giovanni, as well as the smaller boutique in the Four Seasons hotel. The front and sides of each model is individually hand engraved with ‘Florentine’ engraving by a single artisan craftsman in celebration of the city’s 600-year tradition of fine engraving. The case, including the trademark crown guard bridge, is engraved by hand and then filled with black lacquer to provide depth and definition. The side of the case prominently features the pair of Florentine lilies or fleur-de-lis, the emblem of the city of Florence. The fleur-de-lis emblem is again repeated on the dial at 6 o’clock to emphasize the special nature of the edition and to make it instantly recognisable. To harmonize with the case and dial, the movements, with 3 day power-reserve, are especially laser engraved with the same Florentine designs found on the case. Watches from these beautiful Panerai Florence limited editions are treasured by their owners and subsequently are very rarely seen upon the open market.