The brand has expanded its Radiomir 1940 collection with the introduction of two new automatic in-house movements – the P.4001 and P.4002 – which add technical features like date function, GMT, and power reserve indicator.

It’s almost like déjà vu with Panerai at SIHH this year. It was at SIHH two years ago that Panerai introduced two novelties to its Radiomir 1940 collection, specifically the 47mm PAM00514, and the more modestly sized 42mm PAM00512. Taking a page out of history, the brand has taken the opportunity to enrich its Radiomir 1940 collection once again at this year’s fair.

But this time, we have four new models instead of two. We also have slightly more wearable watches – each of the new models maxes out at 45mm case width - which splits the size difference from two years ago. It also helps to avoid the old commentary about some of the brand’s oversized cases.

The two new automatic calibres – the P.4001 and P.4002 – were completely developed in-house at the Panerai Manufacture in Neuchâtel. They are based on the robust automatic P.4000 movement, and as a result share its main technical characteristics: the off-centre and bi-directional micro-rotor, a three day power reserve thanks to two spring barrels, a mechanism for stopping the balance enabling more precise time-setting, and the full balance bridge with twin supports for greater stability.

The added value of the new calibres is in their additional functions compared to their parent movement. They include the date, the GMT function with a central hand which indicates the time in a second time zone, am/pm indication in the small seconds dial, and the indication of the remaining power reserve. Ultimately, the two calibres only differ in the location of their power reserve indicator.

The Radiomir 1940 collection is considered among the dressier option from Panerai, and the sleek look is enhanced with great legibility in the four new models, both under normal lighting conditions and in the dark. The large baton hour markers are typical of the collection, and figures are covered with ecru Super-LumiNova. All the other elements, like the date indicator, the small seconds hand and the power reserve indicator, stand out with great clarity against a black dial.

That clean black dial is actually available in two variations for each model: one version has a clou de Paris finish, while the other has vertical stripes in relief. Each dial is complemented by a different strap, either a black leather strap or a brown strap of natural untreated leather.

Overall, the new additions to the Radiomir 1940 family offer a broader selection of creative dial designs, but also more importantly a wider choice of technical features thanks to the two new movements. But not much else has changed on the surface. The design of the new models is as faithful as it gets to previous Radiomir 1940 cases, which are inspired by the watches created by Panerai for the commandos of the Italian Navy in 1940.

Fast Facts: Radiomir 1940 3 Days GMT Power Reserve Automatic Acciaio – 45mm

• MOVEMENT: Automatic mechanical, P.4002 calibre, executed entirely by Panerai.
• FUNCTIONS: Hours, minutes, small seconds, date, second time zone, 24h indicator, power reserve, seconds reset.
• CASE: 45 mm, AISI 316L polished steel.
• DIAL: Black with Paris hobnails, luminous Arabic numerals and hour markers. Date at 3 o’clock, seconds and 24h indicator at 9 o’clock, power reserve at 5 o’clock.
• POWER RESERVE: 72H.
• WATER-RESISTANCE: 10 bar (100 m).