The references produced in the 1950’s and 1960’s show clearly differences in caseback markings. Beside the different shapes of center cases and lugs between 6152, 6154 and 6152/1, different Rolex markings are visible when caseback removed.

The illustration shows the following caseback versions:
Ref. 6152 Rolex (with case number)
Ref. 6154 Montres Rolex S.A. (with case number)
Ref. 6152/1 Montres Rolex S.A. (without case number)

You can read and see more about the different versions of Ref. 615X watches in our book “The References”.

An example of our classification work: The reference 3646 is divided into seven production groups (Type A – Type G), of which the different caseback markings and numbers (inside) are just one of the most important indicators.

The illustration shows the following caseback versions:
Ref. 3646 / Type A Oyster Watch Co (large)
Ref. 3646 / Type B Oyster Watch Co (small)
Ref. 3646 / Type C Brevetee Rolex S.A.

You can read and see more about the different versions of Ref. 3646 watches in our 2nd book ““The References” 1930’s-1940’s.

Recently we added another Ref. 3646 / Type B watch into our database.
It expands the number group of today existing Type B watches from 1010015 to 1010024.

Typical features of Ref. 3646 / Type B watches are the small “Oyster Watch Co” stamp in the inner caseback and the Rolex Cal. 618 / Type 1 movement.

September 1st, 2010: today www.paneristi.com is celebrating the 10th anniversary.

Thanks to the owners, moderators and all the collectors around the world, who make this website a great place to talk about Panerai watches!

[Ralf Ehlers & Volker Wiegmann]

Used in the minority of Ref. 6152/1 watches, the Rolex Cal. 618 / Type 3 movement comes with 15 jewels and the Incabloc shock protection. It was another development to improve the quality of the movements, after earlier Ref. 6152 watches held 15 jewel movements without the Incabloc feature. The escapement bridge is similar like on Rolex Cal. 618 / Type 2 movements, typical for movements powered with 15 jewels.

Compared to the Rolex Cal. 618 / Type 4 movement, which is used in most of the 6152/1 watches, the engravings on the movement bridges show clear differences. The “ROLEX” and “FAB. SUISSE” engravings changed their positions. The “SWISS MADE” engraving and the engravings of the jewels used (“15 RUBIS” on Type 3 / “17 RUBIS” on Type 4) changed positions as well.

You can read and see more about the different versions of Rolex Cal. 618 movements in Panerai watches in our 2nd book “Vintage Panerai – The References”.

Signal buoys with color changeable flashlights, used by the italian navy divers, produced by Officine Panerai.

The buoy provides the position of navy divers in training by the orange ball on top during daylight conditions. For night training the buoy provides flashlight signals.

The battery powered flashlight can be adjusted to white, red and blue color and provides signals in various frequency.

weight: 13 kg
height: 168 cm
powered by 16 mono batteries (1.5 Volt)

Used in Ref. 3646 watches from Type A to Type G, the Rolex Cal. 618 movement comes without Incabloc shock protection. Typical for the non-incabloc version is the serif font for the letters A-R (French) and F-S (English) engraved on the regulation device (later versions show “+/-” symbols – see also Type 4).

The central bridge shows the “ROLEX 17 RUBIS” engraving on the left side. This engraving is used only in Ref. 3646 watches from Type A to Type D, as the Ref. 3646 watches from Type E to Type G bear “17 RUBIS FAB. SUISSE”.

You can read and see more about the different versions of Rolex Cal. 618 movements in Panerai watches in our 2nd book “Vintage Panerai – The References”.

Research in vintage watches is boring? Absolutely not! This week we got three new entries in our database, so three more pieces of the puzzle added. All of them are Ref. 6152/1 watches with Rolex movements, two with “Marina Militare” dial and one with “Luminor Panerai” dial. They all match with our database structure, which confirms its functionality during our research since years.

Compare a Panerai “Luminor Submersible” from actual production whith this vintage Ref. GPF 2/56 – you can find a lot Panerai DNA from the 1950’s transferred into modern times.

The “Big Egiziano” aka “Egiziano Grosso” received its nickname because of  the huge case: it measures 60 mm, with crown protecting device even 66 mm. Panerai has produced a replica of this fantastic toolwatch as a Special Edition model in 2009 (PAM341) made of titanium.

Ralf captured the legendary, matte coated rotating bezel with 5 minute graduation in form of pin shaped elevated markers, with the 15, 30 and 45 minute markers particularly accentuated. The reference point at 12 ‘o’clock is filled with luminous material.

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

Looking thru my library today, I stopped at this photo which I took in april 2007. It was one of the first photos to build up the layout of our 1st book.

The pure DNA of Panerai featuring the crown protecting device, 47 mm case with solid lugs, huge domed plexi and “a strap like a belt” come out quite well, I think…

You can read more about the “Arillo Luminor” in our first book “Vintage Panerai – Watches with History”, chapter I.V, pages 114-141 and also in our 2nd book “Vintage Panerai – The References”, chapter IV.II, pages 226-237.