Tried to catch some interesting details and design elements of the case of a Luminor depth gauge, which is aimed to 16 meters. On the backside of the depth gauge is a matriculation number engraved (“Matr. No 189”). The membrane (diameter: 23 mm) is placed in the center of the case, surrounded by the company signatures “Officine Panerai · Firenze”. Some types of instruments bear a Panerai reference number (e.g. “Mod. GPF 4/55”, as engraved on a compass caseback) instead of a matriculation number. Other types are totally unsigned without any engravings on their casebacks – a variety of different decorations exists. Some of these unsigned cases bear a matriculation number on the leather strap (hand written).

The stainless steel case is matte grey coated, sized 70 x 90 mm. The instruments use the same 26 mm leather straps as those who were mounted on watches (screwed lugs), specially treated for seawater use. The length of the strap meant that the swimmer was able to wear the gauge over his diving suit. The underside of the instrument is ergonomically shaped and has a brushed surface. It is fixed with 6 screws onto the upper part of the case, same as compasses are constructed. The huge dome (26,5 mm) is made of Plexiglas. The depth gauge has a total height of 43 mm with a weight of nearly 400 gramms.

The meter hand is made of transparent Plexiglas, which has a chamber in its tip, holding the luminous material to point out the actual depth. Gauges with Radiomir usually have a white Plexiglas hand. You can see a group of  Radiomir and Luminor depth gauges here. The center of the dial bears “Luminor Panerai” and below “Metri” is engraved. You can find more details of the tool’s dial here. The luminous material on hands, numbers, markers and dots is still reacting very quickly and bright when a light source is beamed onto the numbers and markers.

More informations about this Panerai instrument can be found in chapter III of our 1st book “Vintage Panerai – Watches with History”.

Cleaning up my Ref. 6152/1 for the next photo session of our book “Vintage Panerai – Watches with History”. Took off the strap, removed dust and dirt on the case, between the lugs and along the crown protecting device, checking its Rolex Cal. 618 / Type 4 movement. Put back the original strap with G.P.F. Mod. Dep. buckle… Ready.

[Volker Wiegmann]

“ELUX” Panerai inclinometer for tanks, made in 1971. Brevettato No 846567 / october 1968). Powered by two 1.5 V batteries in a separate steel case (with engraved matriculation number), connected with a cable to the device, which can be positioned longitudinally and transversally, rotating 90°.

The case of the inclinometer measures 145 x 55 mm, hinged to the fixing plate to be screwed onto the tank with four screws. Delivered in a grey cardboard box (21 x 21 x 7.5 cm).

Returned from a fantastic journey to Australia, where P-DAY#10 was celebrated at Hamilton Island. After six years I met my friend Alan “Hammer” Bloore again, who wrote the preface of chapter III in our book “Vintage Panerai – The References” (page 186-187).

I’ve published a report in the public forum at www.paneristi.com. Enjoy reading part 1 / part 2 / part 3 / part 4 / part 5 / part 6 / part 7 / part 8 / part 9.

Amanda from the P-DAY#10 organization crew has created a wonderful slideshow which was shown during the Farewell Dinner on sunday, november 7th at Outrigger Marquee, Hamilton Island.

[Volker Wiegmann]

Recently we added another Ref. 3646 / Type D watch into our database.

It’s caseback number fits perfectly into the number group of today existing Type D watches, aside the fact that all other features of this “Kampfschwimmer” are matching our database too. Another important “piece of the puzzle” is added.

Features of the watch:
Reference: 3646 / Type D
Dial: “Kampfschwimmer” (sandwich, anonymous)
Case number: 260693
Movement: Rolex Cal. 618 / Type 1

You can read more about Ref. 3646 / Type D watches in our book “Vintage Panerai – The References” (chapter I.IV, page 85-121).  

The veteran’s family found our website and contacted us via e-mail, provided some informations which are very useful for us to compare with already known watches. It’s great to see that these “war birds” are still surfacing after many years.

…belated but not forgotten, we send our birthday greetings to Tuscany: Emilio Bianchi turned 99 years (!) on october 22nd 2011. He is the last living member of the “fab six” SLC commandos, who took part at the mission “G.A. 3” in December 1941, soon to be 70 years ago… For being co-pilot of Luigi Durant De La Penne’s SLC221 against the “HMS Valiant” in the harbour of Alexandria / Egypt, Emilio Bianchi was awarded with the italian gold medal for gallantry at war (M.O.V.M.).

You can read about Emilio Bianchi in the book “Panerai Historia” by Giampiero Negretti (page 72-79). Also informations can be found in the book “I Mezzi d’Assalto della Xa Flottiglia MAS” by Marco Spertini / Erminio Bagnasco / Albertelli Editore (page 48-50). Emilio Bianchi is featured in the japanese “Panerai Style Book” by Begin, 2001.

Emilio Bianchi is also featured in the book “The Value of Time” on page 71 wearing a Luminor Marina at 4:25 p.m., being one of the “portraits of positiveness” aside other personalities choosen from arts, sport and professions. Other persons featured in this book are e.g. Flavio Briatore, Ornella Muti, Deborah Compagnoni, Roberto Cavalli and Maria Teresa Panerai.

[photo courtesy of Antonio Guccione / Officine Panerai, 1999]

I met Emilio Bianchi in person during my first visit of the III Club Panerai Meeting in Viareggio/Italy in may 2003. In the following years he joined the Club Panerai meetings several times, e.g. to visit the former secret training base at Bocca di Serchio, which was unforgettable for all who took part.

In may 2007 Emilio Bianchi signed the crest of the Com.Sub.In. (scuba divers and commandos of the Marina Militare Italiana) which has been forwarded to a fellow friend in Australia. Moments like this have build a strong relationship inside of me between the Panerai watches and their history based on friendship and passion. It has been very special for me to meet him in person – a living legend.

Go for the 100, Emilio! [Volker Wiegmann]

November will be interesting to follow two important auctions, where Vintage Panerai watches will be up for sale. We hope they find a good new home and remail surfaced in the Vintage Panerai collectors world.

Auktionen Dr. Crott will have their 84th auction including a Ref. 3646 / Type C watch at the Frankfurt Airport  Hotel Sheraton (saturday, november 12th). 

Christies will have their auction 1383 including a Ref. GPF 2/56 watch at the Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues, Geneva (monday, november 14th).

An interesting “Trittico” (= wristwatch, compass and depth gauge) is up for auction at Christies in their november sale 1383 (LOT 27). 

A rare GPF 2/56 “Big Egiziano” with “Radiomir Panerai” dial, a compass and a depth gauge will hopefully find a good new home on november 14th in Geneva/Switzerland.

Features of the watch:
Reference: GPF 2/56
Dial: “Radiomir Panerai” (sandwich, engraved)
Case number: 018
Movement: Angelus Cal. 240 SF (8 days)

The watch is a close “brother” of the “Big Egiziano” with the case number 012, published in our book “Vintage Panerai – The References” and shows identical features, especially the signed date “12.55” on the movement plate. The balance cock bears the “SF 240” sign (Stolz Frères Cal. 240), which can be found on the earlier versions of the Angelus movement (1955 – signed “12.55”), while the movements dated in the 1960’s (e.g. “MAI.61” or “JUIN.61”) have a “+/-” on the balance cock in the majority, from what we were able to find out by comparing with our database.

All three items of the “Trittico” are signed “OFFICINE PANERAI FIRENZE” on their casebacks. Each item has the complete number of original screws (6 each). All of them appear with their original leather strap and buckle.

The depth gauge is aimed 60 meters and bears the “Radiomir Panerai” sign on the lower part of the dial. All items show signs of use, the dial of the GPF 2/56 has faded into brown “tropic” color.

You can read more about the Ref. GPF 2/56 in our book “Vintage Panerai – The References”, chapter V, pages 256-283.

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

Today I had the chance to stop by at the auctioneer Dr. Crott in Mannheim/Germany. Their 84th upcoming auction features a 3646 / Type C which I wanted to see “in real” before it finds a new owner. After the nightmare experience last week when I was contacted by a collector regarding a fake 3646 “Kampfschwimmer”, it was a pleasure to see such a “raw diamond” as described below:

This “Kampfschwimmer” watch is to me what a vintage Panerai collector can dream of. It appears to be put away in a drawer for decades. It shows a lot patina and proof of wear with thousands of super fine scratches which give the case a nearly matte finish. Lovely aged – I would never put a polishing tool on it. This proof of age is something which have to be kept on this watch (hopefully) by its future owner… Put away in a drawer for decades also mean that it needs a service. I recommend the future owner to go to his “watchmaker of trust” to clean the movement and fix the crown tube.

Features of the watch:
Reference: 3646 / Type C
Dial: “Kampfschwimmer”  (sandwich, engraved)
Case number: 1010147
Movement: Rolex Cal. 618 / Type 1

Actually the crown can’t be screwed down to the case as the tube has no winding grip anymore. Known as “the #1 part to be worn off”, the onion shaped crown is always something to be sensible with. Imagine that the crown has to be used evey day and if the watch gets many wrist time (which has obviously been the case in this piece…) one day a new tube is needed.

My personal review:
The plexi: original, never polished, shows scratches and wonderful cracks inside, the rare “volcano dome” shape, lurking a bit above the bezel – just as it should be and similar on many other 3646 watches.
Dial and hands: anonymous dial, nicely aged, numbers and markers fading colors from yellow to orange, including some typical cracks inside the luminous material. Both hands appear to have the original luminous material, not broken out, complete pair. Hands show partially stain, a proof that they have never been polished and/or fixed. Nice blueish shine in different ankles…!
The case: full size Ref. 3646 body, never polished. Typical shape of 3646 / Type C watches. Lugs without damage. Patina all over, proof of “age & use” let it look matte – great!
The caseback: fantastic and rare tatoo-style engraved initals with owner’s initials “HD” and “Marine-Kampfschwimmer 1945”. A true tool watch used in WW2. The inside of the caseback shows the typical Rolex SA embossing known for 3646 / Type C watches. Reference and case number 1010147 matching our database perfectly. No surprise at all. Another piece of the puzzle added.
The Rolex movement: typical Rolex Cal. 618 / Type 1 (17 Jewels, no incabloc). A service is recommended, as the crown is not winding down onto the case to close the watch, tube has to be fixed.
Extra: the buckle part of the original leather strap is still with the watch! These buckles are hard to find alone, especially those which have not bent down. A strapmaker can make the other part in similar leather or take off the buckle from the original strap to create a complete new strap in same color and style.

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]

Some time ago I have written on paneristi.com about fake watches which have the same caseback numbers than existing, real vintage Panerai watches (3646 / Type C #1010222 – in our database since march 2007; 3646 / Type D #260720 – in our database since december 2009). I’d like to keep the info available for collectors here as well. Recently I have been contacted by another Panerai collector who showed me a doubtful piece, which we were able to identify by checking our database.

We ask collectors to be careful and check for important details. We offer our free help to check our database if the offered watch is already known.