Panerai Watches - Officially named Officine Panerai, this Swiss watch brand has roots dating back to 19th century Italy when Giovanni Panerai opened his workshops and watchmaking school in Florence in 1860. Throughout the ensuing decades, the oversized watch brand would become a favorite of the military and would even equip the frogmen of the Royal Italian Navy as early as 1936. Today, Officine Panerai retains its strong looks and professional instrument status but also designs for contemporary adventurers. Its cult-like watch collector followers are known as Paneristi.