About a week ago, I was invited to an exclusive watch event (which I’ll tell you all about soon) in Florence, home of the ever-so-popular and historic watch brand Officine Panerai. Now, I don’t consider myself a Paneristi per se, as I have only ever owned one Panerai, which I still wear and enjoy regularly. While a few models catch my attention every now and then, I’ve never felt the compulsion to go out and own as many variations as I can, like many of my watch buddies do. Still, I’ve always admired the brand and the passion its wearers share.

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Since it was my first time visiting Florence, I thought I would bring along my PAM 190 Radiomir with a JLC-based 8 days movement for the trip. While I’ve visited the “birthplace” of several watches I own, Panerai is different. Aside from the fact that it was founded and for much of its history based in the Tuscan capital of Firenze, Panerai has a vastly different story to tell than the average (Swiss) watch brand. In a city as breathtaking as Florence, it’s hard to imagine the military roots from which this watch (and instrument) brand had sprung.

This was the view I woke up to, overlooking the Piazza di Santa Maria Novella.

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Playing around trying to act like a photographer at the Basilica di Santa Maria Novella…

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I then made my way to the Panerai boutique, but had to stop and admire the splendid Duomo…

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My friend Anish of www.watchanish.com and I paid a visit to the original Panerai boutique, still displaying the original storefront “Orologeria” sign. For a Panerai owner visiting the city, this is almost like a sacred pilgrimage.

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And that unmistakable wrist…

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And finally, before i headed back to the Airport, I had to take a quick shot of the Ponte Vecchio.

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