Since its inception, Panerai has always had a strong association with the sea. Around 2010, Angelo Bonati, then the CEO of Panerai was inspired to create a Panerai wristwatch with a case made of bronze. This was bold and ingenious but also a logical idea because bronze is perfectly suited for the marine environment, already having been widely used in many applications for the Italian Navy mainly due to its anti-magnetic properties. In addition to its practical qualities including a strong resistance to corrosion and scratches, bronze has appealing aesthetics. Panerai’s high-end bronze alloy is composed of 92% copper and 8% tin, this alloy has a bright, coppery tone when new but darkens and develops a patina over time, the result of natural surface oxidisation of bronze. This time-weathered effect is exactly what was intended and desired, giving a unique colour and individual character to each watch. Panerai’s philosophy is encapsulated by the brand’s statement on bronze cased watches: "Bronze is deeply linked to the Panerai heritage. Its application to watchmaking is original, but it reinforces the brand’s association with the sea where bronze is widely used, particularly on vintage sailing yachts, not only for its particular resistance to the corrosive action of sea water, but also for the evocativeness of its appearance. Its tones change with the passage of time and through contact with those who handle it, giving every bronze watch its unique character."
Released in 2011, the new bronze cased PAM 382 model was christened “Bronzo” by Panerai and fast became a legend to Panerai collectors. This inaugural 47 mm. bronze model is a limited edition ‘1950’ series with three-day power reserve and sports an olive dial. It created a sensation when it was unveiled, not only for being the first sports watch to feature a case entirely made out of bronze, but also for offering that bronze purposely with a time-weathered effect. All 1000 pieces of the edition were quickly sold out. Two years later the second Bronzo model PAM 507 was launched, this time with a power-reserve indicator, and then in 2017 the blue dialled PAM 671 was released. Also featured in this auction are the two more recent models; the 2019 PAM 968, nicknamed “Brownzo” by collectors due to its highly appealing colour and PAM 1074, the smaller 42 mm “Submersible Bronze Blue Abisso” which was launched at Watches and Wonders in 2021.