Tried to catch some nice views on my Vintage Panerai watches today. The Rolex Cal. 618 / Type 1 (Ref. 3646) and Rolex Cal. 618 / Type 4 (Ref. 6152/1) movements are doubtless a part of the Panerai DNA. Strong machines, which are still keeping perfect time after many years of use.

Features of the watch:
Reference: 3646 / Type D
Dial: “Kampfschwimmer” (sandwich, anonymous)
Case number: 260554
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.

Features of the watch:
Reference: 6152/1
Dial: “Luminor Panerai” (sandwich, engraved)
Case number: 124537
Movement: Rolex Cal. 618 / Type 4

You can find more information about Ref. 6152/1 watches in our 2nd book “Vintage Panerai – The References” in chapter IV, pages 202-255.

Dear customers and visitors of our website,
please note that our first book “Vintage Panerai – Watches with History” is sold out and no longer available in our shop.

[Ralf Ehlers & Volker Wiegmann]

A look at the dial side of the Rolex Cal. 618 / Type 1 mod. movement and the underside of a “California Dial” with hour wheel. Photo taken from our 2nd book “Vintage Panerai – The References”, chapter I.VII.

Stunning view of a Ref. 3646 / Type D “Kampfschwimmer” Panerai.

Features of the watch:
Reference: 3646 / Type D
Dial: “Kampfschwimmer” (sandwich, anonymous)
Case number: 260530
Movement: Rolex Cal. 618 / Type 1

The removed bezel put the entire dial infront of the lens, showing the depht of the sandwich construction and different colors of the luminous numbers and markers which have changed during many years of UV impact as a natural aging process.

Rare find by a friend of us: new old stock spare strap for Panerai instruments like compasses or depth gauges, used by the italian navy as replacement. Typical for this kind of straps are the huge brass buckles, of which plain and numbered versions exist.

Tried to catch a nice view of the engraved caseback of the 6152/1 “Luminor Panerai”…

Features of the watch:
Reference: 6152/1
Dial: “Luminor Panerai” (sandwich, engraved)
Case number: 124537
Movement: Rolex Cal. 618 / Type 4

Color signal extension (rotating head, made of aluminium) with four colors (red, orange, green and white/clear), mounted on a “VIDOR” torch (made in Britain), which is equipped with Panerai patented mechanism, signed “Brevet IT 563039″.

[photo by Ralf Ehlers]

Tried to catcha nice view of the engraved caseback of the 3646 / Type D “Kampfschwimmer”…

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

A Vintage Panerai Ref. 3646 / Type E will be auctioned at Sotheby’s.

The inner caseback embossing is corresponding with the movement version of the Rolex Cal. 618 / Type 1 mod., typical for a 3646 / Type E watch – hopefully this “California Dial”  will find a good new home on may 15th…

Joined the XI Meeting Club Panerai in Viareggio/Italy, hosted by www.clubpanerai.com
Another fantastic long weekend in Tuscany with many Panerai collectors and friends.

Find my detailled reports posted in the public forum at www.paneristi.com below:
Part 1 / Part 2 / Part 3 / Part 4

Thanks to Piero and his crew for making another great meeting in Italy, home of Panerai!
[Volker Wiegmann]