The Watchology has covered luxury and vintage watches since 2015, with hands-on experience across Rolex, Omega, Panerai and beyond. Specifications in this article are cross-checked against manufacturer information and established horology references. Last reviewed: June 2026.
Officine Panerai gave an early taste of SIHH 2017 with two new Radiomir 3 Days Acciaio models: the PAM685 and PAM687. Both arrive in a 47mm case – one with a black dial, the other with a shaded brown dial that pays homage to vintage Panerai – and both lean hard into the brand’s heritage. After all, it is these small historical details that make Panerai watches so irresistible to Paneristi.
Rooted in the 1930s Radiomir ref.3646
The PAM685 and PAM687 are based on the 1930s Radiomir ref.3646 – prototypes created for trials conducted by the Italian Navy. Those original pieces were the very first watches to reproduce all the elementary characteristics that would come to define the Radiomir, so this pair carries real lineage rather than just retro styling.
The 12-sided “Brevettato” bezel
The standout vintage detail is the 12-sided bezel in brushed steel, polished with smoothed angles and engraved with the words “OFFICINE PANERAI – BREVETTATO.” That wording refers to the patented luminous substance Panerai supplied to the Italian Navy in the late 1930s. The bezel is screwed onto the Radiomir cushion case-band and, together with the screwed back, forms the rear of the case. The result is three elegant, symmetrical case sections that are clearly visible when you view the watch in profile.
The dial: classic sandwich construction
A Plexiglas crystal protects a simple, classic sandwich-structure dial, designed to maximise the legibility of the large figures and markers. It comes in the original black (PAM00685) and the shaded brown (PAM00687) – a new colour Panerai created to replicate the “lightning” ageing effect of the original Radiomir. If you are unfamiliar with the sandwich (or “sausage”) dial construction, it is the layered design that gives Panerai dials their distinctive depth.
Movement: the in-house P.3000
A sapphire-crystal case-back showcases the hand-wound P.3000 movement, which offers a three-day power reserve. Although the main plate covers most of it, you can still admire the large 13.2mm balance wheel and the two spring barrels. This in-house calibre allows quick time changes – the hour hand can jump forward or backward in one-hour steps without affecting the minute hand or interrupting the running of the watch. As with many vintage-inspired Panerai models, a second Plexiglas crystal is included in the wooden presentation box.
Key specifications
| Specification | PAM00685 / PAM00687 |
|---|---|
| Case size | 47 mm Radiomir cushion |
| Case material | Brushed/polished steel (Acciaio) |
| Bezel | 12-sided “Brevettato,” engraved |
| Dial | Sandwich construction; black (685) or shaded brown (687) |
| Crystal | Plexiglas (spare included) |
| Movement | In-house hand-wound P.3000 |
| Power reserve | 3 days |
| Balance wheel | 13.2 mm |
| Heritage | Based on 1930s Radiomir ref.3646 |
| Price (approx., at launch) | USD $9,800 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the PAM685 and PAM687?
They are essentially the same watch in two dial colours: the PAM00685 has the original black dial, while the PAM00687 has a shaded brown dial created to mimic the aged “lightning” look of vintage Radiomir pieces.
What movement is in the Radiomir 3 Days Acciaio?
Both use Panerai’s in-house hand-wound P.3000 calibre, with a 13.2mm balance wheel, two spring barrels and a three-day power reserve.
What does “Brevettato” mean on the bezel?
“Brevettato” means “patented” in Italian and refers to the patented luminous substance Panerai supplied to the Italian Navy in the late 1930s.
How much did the PAM685 and PAM687 cost?
Both were priced at approximately USD $9,800 at launch.
More from the brand on our Panerai articles page, including Luminor vs Radiomir and the sandwich vs printed dial comparison.
Sources & further reading
Specifications verified against official manufacturer sources and established watch-industry references. The Watchology may reference third-party listings for historical pricing; figures are approximate and reflect launch-era data.