Almost nine months after we introduced here in our blog the Ref. 3646 / Type D watch when it surfaced in former Yugoslavia by the family of the 2nd owner, the new owner who auctioned the watch in may 2013 at Dr. Crott, contacted us to give us an update about its actual conditions.

The conditions of the watch before the auction and Information provided by the previous owner have been published earlier and can be compared here. Especially the untypical replacement dial from a VDO cockpit clock caught our attention earlier this year.

The fact that the watch changed ownership in former Yugoslavia confirmed our knowledge about italian and german frogmen units which were captured at the end of the 2nd world war in northern Italy. Just as some of the Panerai watches changed ownership with west allied forces (where they keep surfacing rarely in these days as well, see our introduction of another 3646 / Type D watch here) it has happened in eastern Europe too. In chapter VI of our book “History2” (page 630) a surviving veteran confirmed by his very own story, where the route of his long march into captivity ended: in a POW camp in Yugoslavia.

It is great to see that the new owners’ trusted watchmaker has been able to bring back shine and functionality to the movement, which is now again working with a power reserve of around 36 hours. The new owner named his watch “The Red Star” to reflect its long term use by a Senior Officer in the Yugoslavian Army after the 2nd world war.

The result of the watchmaker’s restoration work shows that it is possible to inhail life in a nearly 70 year old watch which surely did not caught all neccessary services in the past decades. Also it is nice that the patina on the case still exist and the case appears not polished by demand of the new owner to keep the age of the watch visible. The restoration work included the replacing of the VDO dial with a flat dial reconstruction (with closed “6” and “9” digits) matching with the flat bezel, the cleaning of the hands and installing of a new seal and crown tube.

Thanks to the new owner for the update on his Ref. 3646 / Type D aka “The Red Star”
[Ralf Ehlers & Volker Wiegmann]

Additional photos reached us “just in time” before the auction at Bonhams Auction House in London is about to start (December 4th). They have a Ref. 3646 / Type D “Kampfschwimmer” in their Fine Watches & Wristwatches auction (LOT273). We published information on this watch earlier here.

Interesting to be able to see the inner caseback. The surface of the inner caseback is completely decorated. More Information about the different finishings on inner casebacks of 3646 watches can befound in our book “History1” (page 166-167) and in our book “History2” (page 546-547). The Rolex engravings, in combination with the Rolex Cal. 618 / Type 1 movement (see photo below), are matching our database criteria for a Ref. 3646 / Type D.

Features of the watch:
Reference: 3646 / Type D
Dial: “Kampfschwimmer” (sandwich, anonymous)
Case number: 260505
Movement: Rolex Cal. 618 / Type 1

We hope the watch will find a good new home and that it remain surfaced in the Vintage Panerai collectors world. [Ralf Ehlers & Volker Wiegmann]

[Photos with kindly permission / courtesy of www.bonhams.com]

Opened Ref. 6152/1 with solid caseback – bearing the typical markings for this type of Vintage Panerai watches.

You can see an overview of the three different inner caseback markings of the “615ers” here.

For the fund raising project to help the people of the Philippines we offered an unique copy of our book “History1” as one of 18 prices of a raffle draw, which was announced in the public forum at www.paneristi.com.

The two german frogmen veterans Heinz Pape and Karl-Heinz Kiefer, as well as the widow of frogmen Heinz Günter Lehmann and the daughter of the commander of the italian submarine “Ambra” (transporter for SLC and frogmen commandos), Mario Arillo, signed this book in advance for a special occasion in shape of a charity project last year. After the shocking news about the typhoon Haiyan we decided to use this book to help people in need.

In only four days, 582 tickets (each worth 600 PHP / 10 EUR) came together and were donated directly to the Philippine Red Cross by the supporters of the fund raising project. A total of 349.200 PHP / 5820 EUR (plus more than 200 EUR by anonymous donators) were the result! One of the 18 lucky winners will receive this unique copy of “History1” very soon.

After the raffle draw we informed the two veterans, the widow and the daughter about the result of the fund raising project, who were glad to hear that their signatures in the book and many other contributed prizes helped the victims of the terrible typhoon Haiyan.

On behalf of Heinz Pape, Karl-Heinz Kiefer, Mrs. Lehmann and Mrs. Tartarini-Arillo we are glad to forward their greetings and thanks to all supporters!
[Ralf Ehlers & Volker Wiegmann]

Bonhams Auction House in London has a Ref. 3646 / Type D “Kampfschwimmer” in their Fine Watches & Wristwatches auction (LOT273) on december 4th, 2013.

Features of the watch:
Reference: 3646 / Type D
Dial: “Kampfschwimmer” (sandwich, anonymous)
Case number: 260505
Movement: Rolex Cal. 618 / Type 1

The Rolex Cal. 618 / Type 1 movement, typical for 3646 watches of this type, is matching our database criteria. A tubular crown (“Oyster Patent” inscription / Type 13) is screwed down on the neck of the 47 mm cushion shaped case.

The outer caseback of the watch bears the initials of its first owner, a german frogmen (H Sch), which leads the traces back to the end of the 2nd world war, when the watch changed ownership to a servicemen of the United Kingdom. Here it has been kept for the following 68 years as a memorable piece.

It is fantastic to see such a rare watch surfacing in “untouched condition” after so many years, which makes it also a new entry into our database. Further informations on rare Ref. 3646 watches with similar engraved casebacks can be found in our two books History1 and History2.

We hope the watch will find a good new home and that it remain surfaced in the Vintage Panerai collectors world. [Ralf Ehlers & Volker Wiegmann]

[Photos with kindly permission / courtesy of www.bonhams.com]

Christie’s New York has a Ref. 3646 / Type C “Radiomir Panerai” in their Important Watches auction (LOT 343) on december 17th, 2013. The watch is recorded in our database since 2006.

Features of the watch:
Reference: 3646 / Type C
Dial: “Radiomir Panerai”  (sandwich, engraved)
Case number: 1010091

Inside the watch works the typical Rolex Cal. 618 / Type 1 movement. The inner caseback engravings, in combination with the Rolex Cal. 618 / Type 1 movement, are matching our database criteria.

The outer caseback of the watch is engraved with a matriculation number of the italian Decima Flottiglia MAS – short “Xa FLOTMAS No. 048”. A similar 3646 / Type C watch (“Xa FLOTMAS No. 040”) has been published here.

We hope the watch will find a good new home and that it remain surfaced in the Vintage Panerai collectors world. [Ralf Ehlers & Volker Wiegmann]

[Photos with kindly permission / courtesy of www.christies.com]

Since wednesday 582 tickets (600 PHP each) have been collected. The paneristi community supported with their donations the Philippine Red Cross. Donations were made here (and still can be made!):  http://www.redcross.org.ph/donate

Read more about the raffle draw with 18 prizes and many many winners in the public Forum at www.paneristi.com.

Thanks for helping with us!
[Ralf Ehlers & Volker Wiegmann]

Since wednesday, more than 4000 EUR have been donated to the Philippine Red Cross. Paneristi from all around the world donated to help the victims of the terrible typhoon across the Philippines. Various donators offered prizes for the raffle draw which takes progress today (sunday 4 PM CET).

Please continue supporting us with a donation directly at the Philippine Red Cross. Donations can be easily made here:
http://www.redcross.org.ph/donate

1 ) “History1” book with signatures of the veterans
2 ) Rob Box – donated by Gary Friedell
3 ) Panerai iPad leather case – donated by Hammer
4 ) PinoyRisti Shirt – donated by Kerwin
5 ) PinoyRisti Shirt – donated by Kerwin
6 ) PinoyRisti Shirt – donated by Kerwin
7 ) iPhone and iPad mini leather case – donated by Anthony
8 ) leather strap 26-27 mm / 150-90 mm size – donated by Kostas
9 ) leather strap case with SLC logo – donated by Tim
10 ) red Casio G-Shock – donated by Shella
11 ) leather strap 26-26 mm /145-85 mm – donated by Judi Tunx
12 ) Eng Tay 360 print – donated by an anonymous paneristi
13 ) custom made Ammo strap (size provided by the winner) – donated by paolo18
14 ) custom made Ammo strap (size provided by the winner) – donated by paolo18
15 ) custom made Ammo strap (size provided by the winner) – donated by paolo18
16 ) OEM new and unused Panerai Yachts Challenge woven belt – donated by Raymond
17 ) Panerai keychain – donated by Anthony Che
18 ) leather strap 24-22 mm / 145-80 mm – donated by Danny DeAngelis

Get more info at the public forum of www.paneristi.com The initial post from wednesday, please reply with your donation proof here

Every 600 PHP stands for one ticket in the raffle. The raffle draw will be held today 4 PM CET – in about four hours – so its still time to donate and win a prize!
[Ralf Ehlers & Volker Wiegmann]

Please help us to raise some funds for the victims of the typhoon Haijan! We announced a raffle draw at the paneristi.com public forum. After you donated a Minimum of 600 PHP directly at the Website of the Philippine Red Cross, you get a ticket for the raffle draw.

One of the raffle prices is a copy of our book “History1” with signatures of two of the veterans: Heinz Pape and Karl-Heinz Kiefer, also the widow of Heinz Günter Lehmann and the daughter of Mario Arillo.

Find more info how to get one or more tickets for the raffle here. Donations have to be sent until sunday afternoon (european time). Please reply your proof on the posting at paneristi.com.

Thanks for helping with us!
[Ralf Ehlers & Volker Wiegmann]

Additional photos reached us “just in time” before the auction at Christie’s Geneva is about to start (November 11th).

As we published info and an excerpt of our database earlier, we can provide here a couple of interesting photos, showing the condition of this Ref. 3646 / Type D “Kampfschwimmer” with two engraved initials on its caseback.

The watch comes with original strap and buckle, both case and plexi appear to be unpolished with heaps of patina “built” over the past decades. The movement shows the typical features of a Rolex Cal.618 / Type 1 movement. A tubular crown (“Oyster Patent” inscription / Type 13) is screwed down on the neck of the 47 mm cushion shaped case.

We hope the watch will find a good new home and that it remain surfaced in the Vintage Panerai collectors world. [Ralf Ehlers & Volker Wiegmann]

[Photos with kindly permission / courtesy of www.christies.com]