First Look: 2021 NEW Panerai Radiomir Eilean Special Editions PAM01243 PAM01244
Introducing… A new and exciting release from the Radiomir range: The Panerai Radiomir Eilean.
Why Eilean and what is it?
Eilean, as Bonati discovered she was called, was built to order by two keen yachtsmen, the Fulton brothers, and launched in 1937 at Fairlie, in Scotland. Though she was built for cruising around the Clyde and the Scottish west coast, the threat of war was already looming and the brothers weren’t to enjoy her for long. After both men died in action, Eilean was bought by a Swede, who used her for racing, and then by a series of owners who deployed her in commercial charter work.
She changed hands again in 1964, when the lawyer Sir Hartley Shawcross – the lead British prosecutor at the Nuremburg Trials – bought her to spend family summers on, cruising around the Balearic Islands. The next owners raced Eilean in Antiguan Sailing Week, marking the start of her days in the Caribbean. It was here that she had her ultimate moment in the sun, when the ’80s band Duran Duran chartered her for their new music video. ‘Rio’ may have propelled the band to success, but Eilean’s fate was less rosy. Soon after filming, she collided with a ferry off the coast of Portugal, breaking her mizzenmast, and then sank in English Harbour while waiting for repair. When they dredged her up, it was only to discover mites had eaten through her masts and bowsprit.
Happily for Eilean, she caught Bonati’s eye, despite her state. He entrusted her to the Franceso Del Carlo shipyard, in Viareggio, where it took three years to restore herto her former glory. A team of skilled workmen spent 40,000 hours painstakingly bringing her back to life as accurately as possible, salvaging 60 per cent of her original planks, the ship’s bell, the anchor and the steering wheel in the process. Fittingly, Duran Duran and a restored Eilean were reunited at the 2010 Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta and, today, she is the ambassador for all of Panerai’s classic-yachting exploits.
The Panerai Radiomir Eilean with Experience PAM01244
With this piece (PAM01244) being the very limited of the two, it has a striking design with a blue dial and vertical lines, resembling the floor planks of the Eilean Yacht. It has a steel patina case with bronze bezel, crown and case back, designed to patina and age as a tribute to the ageing that has taken place on the yacht over many years.
There are special engravings on the side of the case with Eilean, 1936 (the year it was built) and decorative artwork. The solid bronze caseback further resembles the Eilean yacht.
With a price of €39,000, your first thought would be it is very overpriced. However, the price tag includes an exclusive experience aboard the Eilean only available to those who buy from new.
The Panerai Radiomir Eilean Steel PAM01243
At a more affordable price of €7,900, this stylish Radiomir Eilean is bound to be a success. Where brown dials on a Radiomir usually tend to be popular (PAM662, PAM687, PAM619), this Eilean limited has a fresh design with the Eilean deck inspired dial, limited to just 449 pieces.
It has a 45mm steel patina case, 3 Days hand-wound calibre with a very cool-looking “Cuoio toscano” strap (meaning strong marine leather, a strap that featured during the Pre-Vendome era).
What are your thoughts? Which Eilean do you prefer (removing price from the equation)? The steel Radiomir has a more complete and understated look, whereas the Bronze Special Edition Eilean has that wow factor… We look forward to seeing more images from Panerai!