Sometimes a new watch brand starts with a business plan, a marketing strategy or years of experience in the industry. And sometimes it starts with two friends, a shared passion for watches and an idea they simply cannot let go of.
That’s pretty much how PANOM came to life.
Founded in Luxembourg in 2023 by Paul Richard and Quentin Istria, two French friends who have known each other for more than ten years, PANOM is an independent watchmaking brand with a rather ambitious goal: to put Luxembourg on the watchmaking map.
Neither Paul nor Quentin comes from the watch industry. Instead, they bring two different interests to the table. Paul is fascinated by mechanics, precision and understanding how things work, while Quentin has a strong appreciation for design and beautiful objects. Somewhere between these two worlds, PANOM found its identity.
And their first creation, TheHive, is where that story begins.
Before we dive into it, a quick note. Paul from Panom reached out to me and introduced me to their brand and first models. I found the story and the watches genuinely interesting, so I was happy to share them with you. This is not a paid article or review, and I haven’t handled the watches in person. My thoughts are based on the information, photos and materials provided by the brand.
Meet TheHive
TheHive is an automatic Swiss-made watch with an open-heart dial, produced in a limited series of just 150 numbered pieces. There are five different colourways, with only 30 examples available in each.
The first thing that caught my attention is the dial. Rather than going for a fully skeletonised design, PANOM decided to take a more restrained approach. The open-heart aperture gives us a glimpse of the movement at work, allowing us to see a little of what is happening underneath without revealing everything.
I quite like this idea. There is something fascinating about watching a mechanical movement come to life, especially when it becomes part of the dial design rather than simply something hidden behind the caseback.
The rest of the dial features a honeycomb pattern, which is also where the watch gets its name. It creates an interesting texture and gives the design a clear identity. The combination of the honeycomb surface and the open-heart aperture is a big part of what makes TheHive recognisable.
PANOM describes its design philosophy as ‘Revealed, Never Exposed’. I think that sums it up rather well. You get to see the beating heart of the watch, but there is still plenty left to discover.
One thing I particularly like is that, there is no date display. I think that’s the right decision here. The dial already has plenty going on, and adding a date window would only take away from the overall design.
A Swiss Heart
Inside TheHive is the SOPROD M100 Squelette, a Swiss automatic movement with a perlage finish. It operates at 28,800 vibrations per hour, has 25 jewels and offers a power reserve of approximately 42 hours.
The movement features bidirectional automatic winding and can be admired from both sides of the watch, thanks to the double sapphire crystals. Just look a that beauty.
For a young independent brand making its debut, I think choosing a genuine Swiss movement is an important statement and a good foundation to build on
Made to Be Worn
TheHive comes in a 316L stainless steel case measuring 40.5mm in diameter and just 10.25mm in thickness. These are fairly sensible proportions for a contemporary everyday watch, and I always appreciate seeing brands pay attention to wearability rather than simply chasing larger dimensions.
The watch is water-resistant to 100 metres, making it more than capable of handling everyday situations. The front and rear sapphire crystals offer a clear view of the dial and movement, while Super-LumiNova adds some visibility in lower-light conditions.
PANOM pairs the case with a vulcanised rubber strap and a multi-position deployant clasp. It is a modern combination that fits the overall character of the watch quite naturally.
There are five dial colours to choose from: Silver, Black, Green, Blue and Purple. Each is available with either silver or black hands, giving buyers a little more freedom to choose the version that speaks to them.
Just 150 Pieces
TheHive is not intended to become a permanent collection. This first series is limited to 150 individually numbered watches, with 30 pieces per colour.
Once they are gone, PANOM says they will not be reproduced.
Of course, limited editions are nothing new in the watch world, but I find the story behind this one more interesting than the number itself. TheHive represents the beginning of something that two friends have been working towards, and there is a certain charm in owning the first creation of a brand that is still finding its place.
PANOM also wants to build something beyond the watch itself. Every owner will receive access to the PANOM Club, a private community with early access to future releases, exclusive collaborations and members-only experiences.
It is an interesting approach, particularly for a small independent brand. Rather than simply selling a limited watch and moving on to the next project, the founders want to create a community around the people who wear their creations.
A Little More Than Just Another New Brand?
Starting a new watch brand is never easy, but I like seeing people turn a shared passion into something real. PANOM is still at the beginning of its journey, and it will be interesting to see where Paul and Quentin take it from here.
Will they manage to put Luxembourg on the watchmaking map? Only time will tell, but TheHive is a promising first step.
The PANOM TheHive is priced at €2,900 (including VAT), comes with a five-year warranty and is designed in Luxembourg and made in Switzerland.
It’s always nice to see a new independent brand finding its own way, and I’m curious to see what comes next.
Would I rock it?
Now, this is my favourite part of every watch introduction. And yes, I definitely would!
I really like the overall design, especially the purple version, which is probably my favourite of the bunch. The proportions also look spot on for my 17cm wrist. I’m a big fan of rubber straps, too, and often prefer them over metal bracelets, so that’s another point in its favour.
Of course, my opinion is based entirely on the photos PANOM shared with me. I haven’t seen or handled TheHive in real life, so I can’t comment on the actual finishing or how it feels on the wrist.
I think PANOM has put together an interesting first model. The bigger challenge, in my opinion, will be finding its audience. At €2,900, TheHive enters a rather crowded part of the market, with plenty of established names and independent brands competing for attention. It won’t be an easy task, but I’m certainly curious to see how PANOM’s journey unfolds.
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Specifications:
- Case: 316L stainless steel
- Dimensions: 40.5mm with 10.25mm thickness
- Crystal: Sapphire crystal
- Dial: Honeycomb texture, open-heart aperture, Super-LumiNova
- Color: Silver, Black, Green, Blue, Purple
- Movement: Soprod M100 Squelette with perlage finish and 42 hours power reserve
- Water resistance: 10 ATM (100 m)
- Strap: Vulcanised rubber, deployant clasp
- Price: 2,900 EUR (incl. VAT)
Link to the watch:
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