Our new book “History1″ is featured in the august issue of the german watch magazine “ArmbandUhren”. On page 10 new book releases are introduced in the “library” category, where our book has got a place between a new book about the “Royal Oak” and a book about the so-called “German Unity-Chronometers” from the 1940’s.

Get your copy at the newspaper stores across europe.
Find more info at www.armbanduhren-online.de

During my visit of Mr. Kiefer, featured in chapter III of our new book “History1”, we were speaking about the interview I had with him more than a half year ago. We came back to his instructor, Bernhard Dornsiepen, which watch was auctioned in april 2012 at Dr. Crott and soon later found a good new home half around the globe.

Mr. Kiefer showed me an old photo album which he collected photos, which were taken during veteran meetings after the war in the 1970’s and 1980’s at the island of Sylt, where Mr. Kiefer and his former comrads had been exercised to become “Kampfschwimmers” of the german navy. From time to time they returned tho the place of their training during war time, but this time – many years later – in times of peace and together with their families as a “reunion”.

On a few photos in the album, Bernhard Dornsiepen was visible, so it was the first time – accidential – that there was an image of him aside “just” his initals on the caseback of the watch… It is always nice to put a face behind a name!

A few months ago, only the watch was known. The initials on the caseback let us find the first owner, with the help of another veteran. Another few months later, a photo has been found, adding more “personal touch” on this vintage treasure.
[Volker Wiegmann]

Our new book “History1” is featured in the august issue of the german watch magazine “Uhren Magazin”. On page 34 new book releases are introduced, where our book has its place in the middle.

Get your copy at the newspaper stores across europe.
Find more info at www.watchtime.net

Six months after I visited the german “Kampfschwimmer” veteran for an interview, it was time to deliver him a copy of our new book “History1” – keeping a promise that I made back in december 2011.

Both, Mr. Kiefer and his kind wife Irma, welcomed me at their home in good health and so I was able to forwarded greetings from my co-author Ralf Ehlers to both of them. After reading “his” chapter, I took this photo of him – a smile says more than many words… which was without a doubt a priceless moment.

Karl-Heinz Kiefer is featured in chapter III of our new book “History1”. A preview of “his” chapter can be found here.

Auf ein Wiedersehen, Herr Kiefer – bleiben Sie noch lange so fit!
[Volker Wiegmann]

…more than just an old piece of leather, full of wrinkles and patina. It tells us its age and proof of activity long time ago – looking on this strap is almost like looking into a face of a veteran. It reminds me on what other brands don’t have – a true history. Other brands may create a story around a product. Panerai is different: Panerai had products wich created their stories themselves… approved by brave men in their underwater missions. Lots of these stories were lost and nearly forgotten, but today some surfaced and show us the DNA of the brand – even in the shape of an aged calf strap…

The dark brown 26 mm wide strap with a lenght of 150/90 mm has been produced by Cuoierie Meccaniche Brelli in Tuscany, who was the supplier for straps used on Panerai watches of the last century. The stainless steel GPF buckle is sewn into the strap.

More than 50 years old, this strap is a proof of the quality and skills of the suppliers choosed by Panerai – and a part of their unique DNA.
[Volker Wiegmann]

Put on the macro lens today and tried to catch some details of the “GPF – Mod Dep” buckle, which is mounted on my Ref. 6152/1 “Luminor Panerai” watch.

Used on 26 mm straps, this type of stainless steel buckle exist in three versions: plain, with a matriculation number of the navy (up to three digits) and, as seen here on the photo, with the embossed trademark “Guido Panerai e Figlio” (short version “GPF”). All versions of the buckle have a brushed finish.

The GPF trademark logo, which unites the three initials G, P and F in a circular form, has been used on various documents or instruments shown in the left corner of the photo – which can be called a typographical masterpiece of the last century – it is without a doubt a piece of the Panerai DNA. The short “Mod Dep” (“Modello Depositato”) stands for “registered design” / “trademark”.

A later version of this buckle has been produced with a matte grey coating and can be found e.g. on nylon straps, mounted on Panerai compasses from the 1980’s, Ref. BSP 851 and BSP 852 (hooded version).

Interesting is, that back in the 1980’s the compass has been engraved on the backside with “Officine Panerai” but the buckles with the old company name (“GPF”) were still used…

For our good friend Assaf Burstein from Israel, a long hunt is finally over. We took notice that he can call himself the new happy owner of a Ref. 3646 / Type C watch with “Radiomir Panerai” dial.

The watch has one of the dials which luminous elements (markers and numbers) turned into a deep red colour. In our opinion, the reason for this was the varying composition of the Radiomir paint used in the production of smaller batches. One of the few surfaced pieces of this kind with similar dial has been introduced more than two years ago here.

Not only the front of the watch is a stunner, also the caseback bears a “nice to have” feature, which doesn’t exist often today: less than 10 pieces are known with a “Xa FLOTMAS” (a short for “Decima Flottiglia MAS”) engraving, together with a matriculation number. It underlines that this watch has been used by italian frogmen during 2nd world war. Inside the watch, the Cal. 618 / Type 1 movement from Rolex is ticking, with the typical decorations on the movement bridges, which makes it “one more” clean 3646 / Type C watch entry in our database!

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

You can read and see more about the different versions of Ref. 3646 watches in our 2nd book “Vintage Panerai – The References”. In specific, watches of the Ref. 3646 / Type C are introduced in chapter I.III (page 67 to 83)

Congratulations, Asi – we’re very happy for the “new piece” in your collection!
[Ralf Ehlers & Volker Wiegmann]

Photo courtesy / with kind permission of Geoff Hess, USA

Today I had the chance to see another yet unknown Ref. 3646 / Type C “Kampfschwimmer” watch surfacing into the Vintage Panerai world. Auctioneer Dr. Crott kindly informed me that they just had a new arrival for their upcoming 86th auction which will be held in november 2012.

In its actual conditions, this watch is in my opinion a “raw diamond”. It is untouched, stored away for decades which let it appear today in its original conditions. It needs doubtless a cure at a good watchmaker with a heart for historic treasures – he can bring back the power and functionality on this fantastic piece for the future years.  However, the watch was running during my observation. As many other watches too, it has the tubular shaped “Oyster Patent” crown instead of the onion shaped “Brevet +” crown.

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

The original strap has not “survived” but we know this has happened on most of the sewn-onto-the-case straps of Ref. 3646. It should be easy for the new owner to find a strap to his personal taste, so there are many options for this kind of  “personalization” for the future owner.

Once again, this “new surfaced” Ref. 3646 watch is matching our Type C criteria in all details, rising the number of Ref. 3646 / Type C database entries close to 50 watches…! In relationship with the 7 digit case number (the watch is inbetween the number group 1010091 – 1010374) is the Rolex SA embossing on the inner caseback, which is a typical feature of Ref. 3646 / Type C watches. Matching with the inner caseback engravings is the Cal. 618 / Type 1 movement from Rolex with its typical engravings on the center bridge. The outer caseback bears no engraving. The steel hands have kept their blueish color and the luminous material is still nearly complete!

You can also read and see more about the different versions of Ref. 3646 watches in our 2nd book “Vintage Panerai – The References”. [Volker Wiegmann]

Interesting news to come up soon this week, seems like Ref. 3646 is on the spot! This reference carries the DNA of the brand… simple but striking!

Stay tuned!
[Volker Wiegmann]