Panerai

Since its inception, Panerai has maintained a profound affinity with the sea. In 2006, Angelo Bonati, a passionate yachtsman and the CEO of Panerai at the time, found himself in Antigua's English Harbor where he stumbled upon an abandoned boat nestled among the mangroves. Recognizing its illustrious William Fife design, acquired the vessel, named the Eilean, and elevated it to the status of a Panerai ambassador.

The Eilean, adorned with fixtures cast in bronze, served as the muse behind the creation of the Panerai PAM382—a watch encased in bronze, a bold and ingenious choice. Yet, it was also a pragmatic one, as bronze proves ideal for marine environments, having been extensively utilized by the Italian Navy for its anti-magnetic properties and resistance to corrosion from seawater. Panerai's premium bronze alloy, comprising 92% copper and 8% tin, boasts a luminous copper hue upon its debut, which gradually deepens into a rich patina over time through natural surface oxidation.

Launched in 2011, the PAM 382 model, affectionately dubbed "Bronzo" by Panerai, swiftly ascended to legendary status among collectors. Limited to 1000 pieces, it featured a commanding 47mm case and a distinctive green dial. Its unveiling caused a stir, marking the first instance of a Panerai sports watch crafted entirely from bronze and a bronze case purposely built with a time-weathered effect, ensuring each timepiece possessed a unique hue and character over time. The entire edition sold out rapidly, cementing its status as one of the most coveted PAMs of the early 2010s.

This example, numbered N0000/1000, suggests it could be the first piece made in this limited edition series. It comes from the Collection of the legendary actor Sylvester Stallone and was further screen worn by him throughout “The Expendables 2”, filmed in 2011 - the very year this model was released. Given Stallone's extensive tenure as a Panerai collector, it's no surprise he selected this iconic model to complement his character in the movie. The watch is not only worn by Sly, but the same iconic model was worn by several actors in the film, including Dolph Lundgren, Jason Statham, Terry Crews and Randy Couture.