Over the last several years, Panerai watches have earned a worldwide reputation for excellence in design and performance. Although the Panerai name has been synonymous with quality and design for well over one hundred years among collectors and other cognoscenti, new models of these precision watches were unavailable for purchase abroad until around 1998.

Since then, demand has soared to the point that Panerai watches are now among the most sought-after watches in the world. Some models are very difficult to find. Panerai watches continue to build on a rich history that goes back to the nineteenth century. This article contains a concise history of the Panerai watch, the watch preferred by Italian divers for almost a century.

Early History: The Founding of the Panerai Watch Company

In 1860, Giovanni Panerai opened his watch-making shop in Florence, Italy. Florence’s first watchmaker, G. Panerai & Co., quickly established a reputation for making exquisitely crafted watches. Knowing that Swiss watch craftsmanship was unparalleled, Panerai contacted the most prestigious Swiss watch manufacturers and began modeling his Panerai watches around the precisely crafted and dependable Swiss model. Over time, the business flourished. When Giovanni died, his son Leon Francesco Panerai took over his father’s workshop and continued to build upon the Panerai reputation for excellence.

In time, Leon’s son Guido also joined the business and started a new venture named Guido Panerai and Figliothe. This business focused on designing and manufacturing high-precision mechanical instruments for many different clients. Word of this new company’s expertise spread, and eventually, Guido was contacted by the Royal Italian Navy. Shortly thereafter, Panerai and Figliothe became the navy’s official supplier of optical and navigational mechanical devices, and the company was renamed Officine Panerai.

Middle History: Descendants Building on the Panerai Legacy for Excellence

Around the turn of the century, when the Italians were developing a new kind of navy with metal ships and divers, naval officers asked Guido to develop a watch with a luminous face and hands. Early successes with luminous materials for the watch led to larger contracts with the navy for luminous instrument dials, nighttime sighting devices for naval gunnery, and a wide range of other mechanical instruments that could calculate depth, timing, and range to targets. As the demand for these instruments grew, the Officine Panerai company continued to grow, too.

In the early 1930s, Guido’s children, Giuseppe and Maria, continued their father’s work with Maria focusing on the watch-making part of the business and Giuseppe working mainly on expanding the company’s long relationship with the Italian Navy. He continued to develop and manufacture luminous devices for divers, including wrist compasses, depth gauges, and a wide range of other fine mechanical equipment designed for underwater performance. In 1936, the navy asked Giuseppe to design and build an underwater watch that could withstand extreme conditions. The first Panerai Radiomir watch prototype passed all testing protocols.

As World War II loomed, the navy needed all the equipment that the Panerais could make, especially diver’s watches. In 1943, the first Panerai Mare Nostrum chronograph was introduced for naval officers, although the watch never went into production. In 1949, a patent was issued for the Panerai Luminor. This model effectively replaced the Radiomir. Work continued, with craftsmen focused on creating Panerai watch models able to perform at greater and greater depths. Until the end of the 1980s, new Panerai watches were made exclusively for military clients; however, the company made their watches available to the public in the early 1990s.

Recent History: A New Beginning

In 1997, the Panerai Company was acquired by the Richemont Group. This company already owned the rights to other prestigious watchmakers such as Cartier, IWC, and others. The Richemont Group made Panerai watches available internationally, and suddenly, this coveted watch that was once available to a select few could be purchased in fine watch and jewelry shops around the world.

Knowing they stood to make a fortune with this new acquisition, Richemont reintroduced the Panerai Radiomir and Panerai Luminor, as well as a line of contemporary models inspired by the unique aesthetics of Panerai design. The future of Panerai watches and the people who love them appears to be quite promising. New models are expected to be rolled out for the foreseeable future. Of course, all new models will adhere to Giovanni Panerai and his descendants? strict standards for craftsmanship and performance.

The usual finds for pearl jewelry are stud earrings, bracelets and strands or necklaces, but what do you do if you are tired of the typical pearl jewelry? Well, designer pearl jewelry may be just what you need to enhance your pearl jewelry collection. Fortunately, you do not need to travel overseas to find the best pearls and unique designs.

In fact, finding designer pearl jewelry is probably closer than you think. Now, if you have the opportunity to travel to Japan at some point, keep in mind that Japan is one place where you can find a multitude of pearl jewelry designs. But, for most not planning a trip to Japan, finding a quality pearl jewelry designer does not have to be a great challenge.

It really isn’t, actually. Think about how unique you want the piece to be. This will help determine where you should focus your search. For example, if you are seeking a single carat diamond ring with small embedded pearls, a custom design jeweler can certainly help you. It is important to have at least some knowledge about pearls before you meet with a jeweler so that you can be sure to get exactly what you want. The ability to have an educated discussion with the jeweler makes the entire process much easier for all parties involved.

Pearls are graded by size, color, luster and smoothness. The smoother and whiter the pearl is, the better grade but luster cannot be overlooked as it is the iridescence found on quality pearls. If it is flat and has no luster, it is, quite frankly, not a good quality pearl. Regardless of size, if it does not have shine initially, then it never will have the shine most seek in a pearl.

Further, cost and size are interrelated when it comes to quality pearl jewelry, but this does not imply that small pearls are of a poor quality. The pearl’s size should enhance the main jewelry piece, not detract from the entire design. If you want a pearl to accent a single carat diamond ring, you are likely not going to want a large pearl even though the larger pearls are more expensive. It is important to consider the entire jewelry piece to be designed.

Once you have found the right jewelry designer, you are one step closer to making your dreams come true and finding the perfect pearl jewelry design to add to your collection. In a few short weeks, the jeweler will be ready to hand the original design to you so you can begin wearing you unique piece and enjoy the known elegance and luxury of pearls but in your own special way. A simple strand of pearls can turn into a jewelry piece with flair never to be matched.

When people talk about the first wristwatch worn on the moon, they are referring to the Omega Speedmaster Professional chronograph. Ever since that milestone in human history, this Omega model has been referred to as the ‘Moon Watch’, but this self-winding chronograph was introduced many years earlier, in 1957. At the time, Omega could never have imagined that this particular model would be forever associated with such an extraordinary achievement. But the Omega Speedmaster earned the opportunity through an extremely rigorous vetting process. This process eliminated wristwatches from all of the other competing watch manufacturers who coveted the once-in-a-lifetime marketing opportunity.

The history of this watch and American space travel precedes that historic July day in 1969 by a few years. The first Omega Speedmaster to leave Earth’s atmosphere was worn on the wrist of Walter Schirra aboard the Sigma 7 in 1962. NASA requested that astronauts wear wristwatches for space travel as a matter of practicality in the event that onboard systems failed. Initially, the make and model of watch was up to the astronauts, but as the space program advanced, NASA decided that something as important as reliable timekeeping in space could not be left to chance. So NASA started a testing program that involved buying watches from several manufacturers and subjecting them to a regimen of different tests that simulated the changing conditions of space travel.

These watches were subjected to: extremes in temperature, exposure to a vacuum environment, up to 12 Gs of gravitational force, violent shaking, and other tests to ensure that the watches were anti-magnetic, shockproof, and waterproof. After extensive testing, the watch NASA chose was an Omega Speedmaster that had been bought over the counter at a Houston jewelry store. The Speedmaster became standard-issue for Apollo astronauts. During missions, most astronauts wore one Speedmaster set to Mission Elapsed Time and another set to Houston local time.

While there is no disputing that the Swiss-made Omega Speedmaster was the first watch worn on the surface of the moon, there has been a minor dispute over which astronaut was the first to walk on the moon while wearing one. During that historic Apollo 11 mission, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin were given a window of two hours and forty minutes to explore the moon’s surface with the Omega Speedmaster strapped to the outsides of their spacesuits. Adding to this watch’s already remarkable history, the Speedmaster worn by Aldrin ended up tracking this period of time, as the onboard timer on the Lunar Module failed shortly after landing and could not be restarted.

According to Aldrin, during the moon walk, Armstrong left his Speedmaster chronograph on the module as a backup. In fact, it was Aldrin’s Speedmaster that was the first wristwatch worn on the moon’s surface. This Omega was to be donated to the Smithsonian Institute to be included in a collection of Aldrin’s other equipment. However, it was stolen sometime in the years after the moonwalk and has never been recovered.

A year later, during the Apollo 13 mission, the NASA-issued Omega Speedmaster had a far more crucial role. After an explosion on the service module rendered several critically important systems inoperable, scrapped plans to land on the moon again, and endangered the astronauts, lives, Commander James Lovell’s Speedmaster became an essential life- and mission-saving tool.

The crew of Lovell, Jack Swigert, and Jim Haies had to power down all systems except for the radio receiver to conserve energy. All the timed engine burns programmed into the vessel’s computer to enable the astronauts to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere were now out of service. Using only his Speedmaster chronograph, Lovell and his crew were able to time the duration and intervals of engine thrusts, and the men and their vessel safely returned home.

In the years since, Omega Speedmaster chronographs have continued their remarkable service on the first space shuttle mission and subsequent missions. These watches have been selected by the former Soviet Union for their space program. The Omega Speedmaster watch remains the only NASA flight-qualified watch for space walks, and has been consistently retested by NASA to ensure performance. To this day, this model is still the only watch “Flight-Qualified by NASA for all Manned Space Missions,” and has served the American and Russian space programs with distinction since the early 1960s.

The Omega Speedmaster Professional chronograph is still in production today. The very same model preferred by NASA and the men and women who crew missions for space exploration can be purchased at fine jewelry stores around the world. Buying a Speedmaster allows the owner to wear an extraordinary piece of history with a record of performance that is, literally, out of this world.

It is interesting to note how fast things change in today’s world. Credit cards, for example, used to be a privilege to have, but they have almost become a necessity in today’s world. In fact, a lot of people carry not just one but many different credit cards. Why do many people find them so necessary?

First is the convenience factor. Credit cards can be much more convenient when compared with cash, because you don’t need to carry cash with you in order to make a purchase, just one piece of plastic. Credit cards are now accepted almost anywhere, and unlike cash, they can be used for online shopping.

The second benefit of credit cards is emergency help. If you run into a financial problem or an emergency situation and need immediate money, your credit card is easily accessible for help. Especially when compared to the alternative of waiting for your paycheck, credit cards come in very handy in an emergency.

Not only can credit cards save you in emergencies, but they also offer many options in everyday life. For example, shopping is very convenient, and often offers discounted rates over retail shopping. In fact, many items today are only available online, so you could miss out on opportunities if you do not have a credit card to shop online.

In addition, you can use a credit card to buy something that you need now, but pay it off later. In other words, you will not have to wait for the next several paychecks to save up for something that would be useful to have now.

Credit cards are also much safer to carry than cash. You do not have to show a stack of bills when paying for a purchase, which can be an invitation to muggers or thieves. On the other hand, credit cards are not such an invitation to steal. They can easily be traced, unlike cash. If your credit card is stolen or misplaced, you can get it blocked simply by making a phone call, thus making it unusable. On the other hand, cash can be stolen and used by the thief without you having any ability to trace it or get it back.

An additional benefit to using credit card is the discounts they often offer. Many businesses, including airlines, car rental agencies, and hotels offer discounts when you pay using a particular card. Some cards offer a certain percentage back if you buy certain items on your credit card, and many have affiliations with certain merchants.

Many credit cards, such as the chase cards, now have a membership flexible rewards program, which rewards points based on purchases. These points can be exchanged for goods once enough are accumulated.

Travel insurance, often for free, is another credit card benefit. For people who travel often, this is a very valuable service. Combined with the car rental and hotel discounts, credit cards can be great for travelers.

With so many benefits to offer, it is easy to see why credit cards have become a necessity.

The art of giving baby shower gifts is all about creativity and individuality this year. Although there are many gifts that are suitable for both baby boys and girls, there are some items that make particularly great presents specifically for each gender. This article will offer some clever ideas that are perfect for any new baby boy shower.

A classic favorite that has become increasingly popular this year for baby showers is the baby shower cake. Diaper cakes are appealing to the eye and extremely useful for any mommy-to-be. These beautiful creations resemble a real, multi-layered cake and hold different types of essential items for your baby. The cake is constructed of good quality diapers, such as the Pampers brand, beautifully tied together with ribbon and adorned with necessary baby items like bibs, rattles, and baby bottles.

Now, there are many businesses that are exclusively dedicated to making and selling different types of diaper cakes. Baby shower cakes for baby boys are as cute as can be, and are usually themed after a “boyish” theme like sports, tools, or animals. Classic diaper cakes for baby boys are white and baby blue, with patterns like polka dots, stripes, plaid, or gingham. A baby boy-themed diaper cake makes a great-looking present, ranks among the most popular gifts for this year, and is among the most useful of all gifts.

A humorous but remarkably smart new creation that any mother of a baby boy will appreciate and use on a daily basis is the new “Pee-Pee TeePee.” The name of this great, new creation probably gives you a pretty good idea of what it can possibly be. When parents of baby boys change their little diapers, they can be exposed to an unexpected spring of the little one’s “pee-pee.” The Pee-Pee TeePee is a cute, small teepee-shaped, 100% cotton cone that can be placed on your baby boy’s wee-wee during diaper changes to avoid a pee-pee surprise! Pee-Pee TeePees come in different colors and with a decorative pattern such as little airplanes in the sky.

A very popular gift for parents of a baby boy who are sports fans or college graduates is sports fan baby boy clothing. Whether it be a college sports team or a major league team, a clothing item representing the parents’ favorite sports team is bound to make smiles happen. Football or basketball jerseys, a T-shirt with the team’s logo, a baseball cap, or a track suit are all fabulous ideas for baby sportswear.

Little wagon gift sets are an alternative to traditional gift baskets and have a boyish twist to the common baby shower gift. These are usually little red wagons filled with learning toys, stuffed animals, and baby essentials for your little one. Little wagon gift sets stand out from ordinary gift baskets with their extraordinary look and fun appearance.

These are some of the most popular baby boy gifts that are both fun and practical and are sure to please any new Mom, Dad and Baby.

If you have ever gotten a whole body massage, then you know the blissful relaxation as your tensions and anxieties are systematically wiped away. You know that a massage is a mind and body experience where both must relax in order to have a satisfying outcome. Most people think they have to see a masseuse to have this gratifying experience. Many of the top massage chair companies have created very effective massage therapies into their therapeutic loungers.

Interestingly, most people think of a massage chair as a luxury. In some cases it certainly is a luxury. However, the impression people have is that massage chairs are expensive. And they are right if you only look at the price tag and not the lifetime value of the massage chair. A massage chair is actually the most cost effective massage treatment available. It can run as little as a dollar a day and no tip required. Now, most people think massage recliners just massage your back. In reality, massage chairs perform whole body massages.

An advanced massage recliner made by Panasonic performs whole body massage. The EP 30004 comes equipped with specialized rollers for the back, neck and shoulders. For the lower body the Real Pro Ultra has an air compression system. The air compression system powers 22 airbags throughout the seat, leg rest and armrests. This system provides gentle or firm compression massage to soothe and relieve aching muscles.

You do not have to go to the spa to relax, if you have the Omega Montage Premier Massage chair. The Montage Premier provides a thorough full body massage from your head to your toes. Additionally, the Montage comes with full body heat, where you can apply heat in the back, seat and the leg rest. The Montage Premier has a built in MP3 player so you can put on the included headphones and relax to your favorite music during the massage. This recliner also has a music synchronization function. This function will massage you to the rhythm of your music.

We are simply amazed at the dizzying pace of innovation with respect to massage chairs. In just a few short years, these recliners moved from doing back and shoulder massage to whole body massage. The level of sophistication of the mechanical movements makes for very fine kneading massage possible. The integration of air compression technology enabled air compression massage to be applied to all the major parts of the body. The continuing advance of software programs and scanning technology allow for more precise location of areas to automatically target for relief.

If you have never tried a massage chair, you definitely should. Most people are surprised at how effective it delivers massage therapy. Again, the technology keeps advancing rapidly and even chairs from a few years ago lack many of the new features that are available today. If you have not had a full body massage, then you are really in for a treat. Sometimes there is some discomfort as you start to relax your muscles that have not been touched in a long time. Let the massage penetrate deeply into the muscle tissue. This is always a good gage of your stress level to see if the massage makes squirm a little bit. This is especially true if you have not had one in a while. A whole body massage will help change your attitude and get your body reinvigorated. Let a massage chair deliver a whole body massage to you in your own home.

Because driving a car can result in accidents that can become very expensive due to property damages and medical bills, it is very important for drivers to get auto insurance so if you get in an accident, you are not responsible for all the expenses. Because it is so necessary, most countries, including the United States, have made it a law to have insurance coverage. It is required to have insurance before the car can be driven.

Auto insurance is the type of insurance one must get for his car. It covers expenses related to accidents that can take place while owning and operating a car. People purchase these policies in order to protect themselves against the expenses in an accident, both property damages and medical bills.

People sign up for coverage of insurance for pretty much any type of vehicle they have, including, but not limited to cars, trucks, motorcycles, vans and off-road vehicles. There are different amounts of coverage available and different methods under which a vehicle can be insured. Make sure that while shopping for insurance, you are aware of the coverages being applied, because this can affect greatly the price of insurance, as well as how you will be covered in the case of an accident.

You can explore many different methods of insuring your car, and each method treats damage claims a little different. Because these are so different, it is very important that a buyer comprehends different claims and proposals set forth by the different companies. Always be aware of the limits that are being offered in relation to the price.

Previous to making a decision on what company you go with, decide what type of coverage you need. Make sure these numbers are constant while shopping through companies or the prices you see will not reflect which one is really cheaper for what you want. While shopping online or over the phone, make sure the limits you want are what they is quoting you.

Also while shopping between different companies, make sure to supply all the information possible. Different companies give varying discounts for factors such as being in the military, for not being in accidents, for being a good discount, for paying in a paperless form, etc. The more information you supply to an insurance agent the more discounts he will be able to get you.

When shopping for insurance, going to an insurance broker can often be the best option. Because they work with a number of different companies, they can often do the work of shopping through a number of different companies for you in a fraction of the time. Because it doesn’t matter to them which company they put you with, only that you go through them, you can rest assured that they will get you the best deal available.