Panerai Radiomir 1936 47mm Cali Dial PAM00249

Panerai PAM00249 I - 47mm Stainless Steel - Radiomir 'Cali' California Dial - 1936 Special Re-Edition - Special Limited Edition (Only 1936 Pieces) J2EULE The California or 'Cali' dial reference refers to the dial which features a combination of both arabic numbers (1-2-3-4, etc) and roman numerals (I, II, IV, IX, etc) for the hour markers as seen on this watch. In the 1980's, a large number of Rolex dials were refinished and repainted by an unknown company based in California in a variety of bright colors using this very distinct combination of roman and arabic numbers for the hours markers. Becasue of their distinctive California origin and way-out bright colors, this resulted in those watches being referred to as 'California dial' rolexes. The moniker stuck and was then used in referring to the original dials produced by Rolex in the 1930's thru the 50's. This dial style was used sparingly by Rolex for use primarily in smaller 24mm - 32mm wristwatches and oversized military tactical watches (based on using original pocketwatch movements & dials). Many collectors theorize the dial was distinctive so as to make those watches Rolex produced exclusively for a 3rd party to be instantly recognizable. The PAM 249 1936 Radiomir dial is an exact replica of the original dial that was produced by Rolex for the Panerai Radiomir in 1936. In the original 1936 Radiomir watch, Panerai kept the Rolex movement intact and then customized the watch further so that it could be reliably used in underwater tactical situations which included coating the dial, hour markers and hands with their proprietary luminescence techologies. This relatively reliable and stable (albeit radioactive) luminescence for watch dials which sometimes included liquid-filled tubes on the dial is what Panerai was to become known for in international tactical/mil-spec circles moving forward. Panerai would be tapped later on to produce watches on a mil-spec basis for several well known, highly celebrated and revered special force tactical military groups within the Italian Navy and throughout the world.