We lately got access to study further historic documents which were kept together with an interesting Ref. 3646 / Type C “Kampfschwimmer”.

Features of the watch:
Reference: 3646 / Type C
Dial: “Kampfschwimmer”  (sandwich, anonymous)
Case number: 1010351
Movement: Rolex Cal. 618 / Type 1

The set – Panerai watch and documents from the first owner – including letters, photos, his Kriegsmarine pay book and rare decorations from WW2 and post-WW2-aera will hopefully find a good new home at Dr. Crott during their 86th auction on november 10th, 2012.

During the research on these documents we found further info on the missions which this german frogmen took part. These informations underlined locations and sites that were mentioned from other german veterans and are featured in our latest book “History1”, e.g. the quarters of the german combat swimmers in List on Sylt  (Training Commando 700 unit) which was known as “Weisskoppel”. All together, these documents and the Ref. 3646 / Type C watch will build one more interesting chapter in our future book “History2”.

Some time ago I had the chance for making this photo, in the middle the Ref. 3646 / Type C watch of our good friend. I had the chance for comparing the differences between Type C and Type D cases, bezels, casebacks – aside the different dial versions: engraved “Radiomir Panerai” and the “Kampfschwimmer” version. The younger companion on the right, the Ref. 6152/1 “Luminor Panerai” is making the line-up a big load of Panerai DNA at one spot. All three of them powered with the Rolex Cal. 618.

Captured the surface of the sandwich dial on a Ref. 3646 /  Type C Vintage Panerai watch.

The milled digits and indexes on the matte black aluminium dial with a diameter of 37 mm are two of the typical features that each Panerai watch bears – from the past until today. The reduced design of the dial – only 4 numbers and 8 indexes – represents the DNA of the Panerai brand on first sight. Even from a distance, a Panerai can be spotted easily because of its “clear” face…

Captured the blue color of the steel hands on Ref. 3646 watches. Always an amazing detail on these watches: the matte black sandwich dial, the aged luminous material in a color range from honey-like orange to a deep red.

These watches carry the DNA of Panerai in many details. Each of these rare watches aged individually. It is always interesting to see how different these watches passed nearly 70 years… and they are still keeping great time!

Features of the Ref. 3646 with “Kampfschwimmer” dial:
Reference: 3646 / Type D
Dial: “Kampfschwimmer” (sandwich, anonymous)
Case number: 260554
Movement: Rolex Cal. 618 / Type 1

Features of the Ref. 3646 with “Radiomir Panerai” dial:
Reference: 3646 / Type C
Dial: “Radiomir Panerai”  (sandwich, engraved)
Case number: 1010244
Movement: Rolex Cal. 618 / Type 1

You can find more information about Ref. 3646 watches in our 2nd book “Vintage Panerai – The References” in chapter I, pages 31-159.

Recently I had the chance to take some photos of two Ref. 3646 watches. The differences between Type C and Type D cases are always nice to point out, but the steel hands are striking eyecatchers on both of them. The blue color of the temperature-treated hands is coming well in a different ankle towards the light source, not easy to capture.

The Ref. 3646 / Type C appears to be one of the “dark red” dials which changed the color of the luminous “Radiomir” over decades. The Ref. 3646 / Type D marks a typical “Kampfschwimmer” watch with anonymous dial.

The casebacks of these watches bear the roots of their origin – both are individually engraved on the outer caseback. The Ref. 3646 / Type D watch has the personalized initials of the first owner and the unit he belonged to, engraved by hand. The Ref. 3646 / Type C watch bears the machine engraved name of the famous italian unit, which carried out underwater missions in the mediterranean sea – the Decima Flottiglia MAS – including its matriculation number.

For our next book “History2” we continue our research and editorial work in these days.

The traces of a Ref. 3646 / Type D “Kampfschwimmer” watch, its first owner and his mission targets back in 1945 are in our focus. Historical photos, maps and documents, together with impressive photos of this watch makes it another interesting chapter about Vintage Panerai watches and their history.

We’ve been informed by a fellow collector about an ebay auction of a Ref. 3646 / Type C watch (case number 1010222). The watch is in our database since march 2007.

Features of the watch:
Reference: 3646 / Type C
Dial: “Radiomir Panerai”  (sandwich, engraved)
Case number: 1010222
Movement: Rolex Cal. 618 / Type 1

Be careful in buying such watches at places like ebay (“buy the seller, not the watch!”)!

in the public forum about the use of a SLC symbol on the caseback of today’s Panerai watches. Interesting to follow the replies and comments. It’s all about learning and respecting other people’s opinions.

Sending birthday greetings to Italy: Omeris Arpesella, veteran of the italian “Gruppo Gamma”, celebrates his 97th birthday today.

Omeris has joined several Club Panerai Meetings in the past, where he has been introduced to Panerai collectors from all around the world. In 2005, his Ref. 3646 “California Dial” watch was stolen and still remains missing. After many Panerai collectors took notice at the public forum of www.paneristi.com about this tragedy during the V Meeting Club Panerai in Viareggio/Italy, funds were rised instantly by more than 70 people from all around the world, to buy him a brand new Panerai watch. This watch, a Ref. PAM210, is since then nicknamed as “The Omeris”. Piero Lapiana from www.clubpanerai.com had the honour to handover the new watch soon later to Omeris.

In 2006, exactly one year later, a memorial plate was given to Omeris by a group of Panerai collectors at the Museo Tecnico Navale La Spezia (see photo). The memorial plate bears the names of all people who realized “The Omeris”… This community performance remains as one of the unforgettable moments for many Panerai collectors.

Buon compleanno, Omeris!

Tried to catch the luminous activity of the Ref. 6152/1 “Luminor Panerai” dial today. After more than 55 years, Luminor it is still reacting strong on direct light impact, creating a wonderful “greenish glow”…!

This Vintage Panerai watch is featured in our new book “History1″. You can read more about its first owner Mario Arillo in chapter IV, page 227-391.