RXW MM20

If you happen to be a Panerai enthusiast like myself, or shall we say Paneristi, then you know about this highly coveted watch that is no longer produced. For those that do not know below will be a brief history of its roots and it's demise from the market.

from jitteryjim.com:
In the late 1930’s Panerai created a watch for the Italian Navy (some will argue this point stating it was a Rolex watch because it used a Rolex movement and oyster case, however these were purchased from Rolex by Panerai and assembled by Panerai, no different than watches using an ETA movement today, it’s not called an ETA watch, but by the name of the maker), it was a big honking thing, with luminous markers and a large crown guard. Flash forwrd to the early 2000’s, Panerai created a tribute to this watch from the 1930’s, called the 1950, or “Fiddy” among Panerai enthusiasts. Ken Trading’s RXW also created a tribute to this watch, his RXW Marina Militare, also 47mm, with the crown guard and sandwich dial, and a Unitas movement, for a few thousand dollars less then the Panerai (the RXW still sold for $900 from Ken’s shop). The RXW was a big hit with those who enjoy the Panerai style but do not have pockets deep enough to own one. However, after time the Japan high court ruled Ken Trading had broken copyright laws (I am guessing here, cannot quite recall) and prohibited them from selling any more (which is confusing (especially when you don’t have all the details) as RXW offered more for sale recently).

from andrewng:
The RXW MM20 was made by Ken Trading in Japan, it’s a very close homage to the original MARINA MILITARE, which translates to Navy in Italian. The original MARINA MILITARE was made by Rolex in 1938, and is the watch Panerai now emulates. It has the Swiss UNITAS 6497 movement, 316L stainless steel case, and a sapphire crystal. The UNITAS 6497 is not real fancy, but it’s real fun to wind. The dial actually has two layers, the bottom one is a layer of Super Luminova, and the top layer was cut so you see the bottom layer at the markings and arabic numerals (12, 3, 6 and 9). The base dial employes antimagnetic soft iron. RXW refers to the dial as Plasmir. It has a sub-dial for the second display at the 9-o’clock position. The case is brushed stainless steel, but the bezel is polished. Like some Panerai’s, the crown has a crown guard, it’s pretty useless but it does look nice. The watch comes with 3 boxes; a very well-crafted wooden box, a black paper box and a cardboard box.

I personally first heard about this watch maybe 5 years ago and at first was reluctant to pick one up due to their size. At that time I was sporting some knockoff titanium Panerai which I paid way too much for and really wasn't fooling anyone. Panerai's size come in at 44mm, which was a huge watch given my petite wrist and small frame. on a sidenote: thanks again los angeles for the super svelte body and hint of abs due to the entire city starving itself and me trying to fit in. So at that time a 44mm Panerai looked like a wall clock strapped to my wrist. Why would i go even bigger? Well over the years these RXW's finally caught on with me. Now at 6'1'' and 190lbs these 47mm wristwatches feel right at home on my 7 inch wrists.

The RXW MM20 is at the top of my watch list as a must buy due to it's historic significance and beautiful and simplistic design. Tie in the fact that at one time one could only purchase these by walking into Ken's storefront in Japan and that they are no longer produced you have a recipe for an instant and collectible watch that will only increase in value.

The only problem lies in how the heck am I going to fit it under my shirt cuff??

oh f@#k it.

this is a watch that needs to be seen.