Artcurial will feature a Ref. 3646 / Type D “Kampfschwimmer” with anonymous sandwich dial in their upcoming Auction on 23 January, 2019 (Lot 79) in Monaco. This Ref. 3646 / Type D watch marked the first new recorded specimen in our database in 2018 inside the Ref. 3646 / Type D number group.

Both, the 47 mm cushion shaped case and the plexi are unpolished. Typical for a Ref. 3646 with sandwich dial, the watch has the high version of the bezel. The blued steel hands appear untouched, with the original luminous material and show only a very small broken out area in the inner area of the hour hand and in the surface of the luminous material of the minute hand.

Features of the watch:
Reference: 3646 / Type D
Dial: “Kampfschwimmer”  (sandwich, anonymous)
Case number: 2604XX
Movement: Rolex Cal. 618 / Type 1

The inner caseback bears the typical Rolex SA hallmark, reference and case number known for 3646 / Type D watches. Inside the watch is working a Rolex Cal. 618 / Type 1 movement with typical decorations and engravings on the bridges. The watch does not have the original seals between bezel, case and caseback anymore but the watch comes with its original onion shaped “Brevet +” winding crown.

Noteworthy:
The outer caseback of the watch has no personal engravings of the first owner. The family of the first owner has consigned the watch at Artcurial with an original portrait photo, dated November 1944, taken in Venice/Italy, showing him in his navy uniform during the time he was exercised to become a “Kampfschwimmer”.

We hope this Ref. 3646 / Type D “Kampfschwimmer” watch will find a good new home and that it remain surfaced in the Vintage Panerai collectors world. [Ralf Ehlers & Volker Wiegmann]

[Photo with kindly permission / courtesy of www.artcurial.com]