Panerai- The Chosen Timepiece of The Action Icons from Rambo to The Terminator

A robust, yet sleek timepiece such as Panerai is the perfect fit for any action hero. The brand’s instantly recognizable features are the product of years of watchmaking experience. Panerai dates back to 1860 in Florence, Italy where it was established as a watchmaking school and showroom. Officine Panerai first designed its Radiomir model for the Royal Italian Navy in 1936 and was then responsible for the watches worn by frogmen during the Second World War. It was not until 1993 that the brand made its watches available to civilians.

Sylvester Stallone wearing Panerai Luminor Submersible Chronometer in the movie Daylight

Today, Panerai is the choice for action men such as Dwayne Johnson, Jason Statham, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone. The most powerful wrists in action movies have worn Panerai, both on and off the screen. Here are some of them:

Sylvester Stallone

Talented and intellectual actor, Sylvester Stallone is also a fan of luxury timepieces. An ardent watch-lover, he owns numerous timepieces but one manufacture in particular resonates strongly in his collection, Officine Panerai. Sylvester Stallone and Panerai’s story started in 1993 when the actor was in Italy filming for his movie Daylight where he came across a Panerai Luminor while he was searching for a watch that would help build his on-screen character. The bold presence of Panerai immediately appealed to him and he was spotted wearing the timepiece in his movie.

Acting on the promotional opportunity, Panerai decided to release a limited edition collection, Luminor Chronograph Slytech, dedicated to the actor. The Stallone-Panerai association has gone from strength to strength. Stallone was the writer, director and producer of The Expendables, and he decided that all the main characters are going to be filmed wearing a Panerai timepiece. He has been caught wearing many different Panerai watches in the following movies -

• Daylight - Panerai Luminor Submersible Chronometer

• Rambo IV -  Panerai Pre A9 Luminor Base

• The Expendables -  Panerai PAM 332 Luminor 1950 Regatta Rattrapante

• The Expendables 2 - Panerai Luminor Submersible 1950 3 Days Automatic Bronzo PAM 382

• The Expendables 3 - Panerai PAM 389 Luminor Submersible 1950 Antimagnetic

• Escape Plan - Panerai PAM 249 with California dial

Left: Arnold Schwarzenegger sporting Panerai Luminor Marina in the movie Eraser, Right: A still from the opening scene of the movie Eraser featuring Panerai

Arnold Schwarzenegger

Arnold Schwarzenegger, the renowned Austrian born writer, actor, bodybuilder and politician, is a watch fanatic and an avid watch collector. His relationship with the Officine Panerai is entwined through his friendship with Sylvester Stallone. Stallone gifted Panerai watches to his friends , including Hollywood heavyweight Schwarzenegger. The Australian Oak wore the gifted Panerai Luminor Marina (Pre-Vendome) in 1996 film ‘Eraser’ where it was featured in a close-up right at the beginning of the movie. He took a personal liking to the Luminor and has often been spotted wearing it out and about.

Left: Panerai Luminor Submersible in Fast Five, Right: Panerai Radiomir 1940 GMT on Wall Street Journal cover

Dwayne Johnson

Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson is known for his impressive muscular physique, his high-octane performance in various action movies, and his amazing transformation from WWE Wrestler to Hollywood Superstar. An inimitable part of his personal style is the trademark Panerai watch, which he is often seen photographed with, both on-set and off. From the Luminor Submersible in Fast Five to the 1950 Amagnetic version in San Andreas, below listed are the Panerai watches he has been sporting -

• Gridiron Gang - Panerai Luminor Submersible

• Fast 5 – Panerai Luminor Submersible PAM 0025

• San Andreas – Panerai Luminor 1950 Submersible

• Wall Street Journal Cover – Panerai Radiomir 1940 GMT PAM 625

He has also been spotted wearing Panerai Luminor Due and Panerai’s Ceramic Luminor GMT.  He adds his own personal style to his Panerais through his unique choice of watch straps for the watches.

Left: Panerai Luminor 1950 Submersible Amagnetic PAM 389 in Expendables 3, Right: Panerai Luminor Marina PAM00312

Jason Statham

A professional diver and model-turned-actor, is known for his love for Panerai watches. In the opening scene of The Transporters, a PAM 74, with its beautiful chronograph, makes a mark. He can be spotted wearing different Panerai watches in each of Sylvester Stallone’s ‘Expendables’. In the Expendables III, he sports the  Luminor 1950 Submersible Amagnetic PAM 389. The robust but chic design of Panerai makes it a natural choice for Statham.

• The Fate of the Furious - Panerai Radiomir 8 Days Ceramica PAM 384

• The Expendables 2 - Panerai Luminor Submersible 1950 3 Days Automatic Bronzo PAM 382

• The Expendables 3 - Panerai Luminor 1950 Submersible Amagnetic PAM 389

• Transporter - Panerai Luminor Automatic Chrono PAM 74

• Transporter 2 - Panerai Luminor Chrono Daylight PAM 250

Today, Panerai offers a unique range of watches based in varying degrees on its historic models. While the “Luminor” and “Radiomir” remain the core of each variant, Panerai has expanded its scope to encompass precious metals, high horology complications, and case sizes that have ranged from 38mm all the way to 60mm. Combining an Italian flair for design and Swiss-made precision, Panerai watches have definitely become the top choice of timepiece for action heroes.

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