By the end of 2015 our Vintage Panerai database counted a total of 377 entries, which we have recorded since 2003. The summary of our research about the watches made by Guido Panerai & Figlio from the 1930’s to the 1960’s are published in the 2nd edition of our new “The References” books in 2016, in which 70 watches plus several compasses and depth gauges are published on 1392 pages in two volumes – visit our bookstore to place your order.

Both new “The References” books introduced below will replace the first edition book from 2009 (sold out since 2013).

The first volume of “The References” is dedicated to watches and instruments from the 1930’s to 1940’s (References 2533, 3646, the Mare Nostrum Chronograph, compasses, straps and buckles) made by Guido Panerai & Figlio.

The first volume (696 pages, trilingual German, Italian and English language in one book) carries the history of the legendary Mezzi d’Assalto (SLC and “Gamma” frogmen units) of the 10th Flottiglia MAS with an overview of their missions from 1940 to 1943, linked directly to famous Italian owners of three watches. Furthermore information on German “Kampfschwimmer” frogmen units with yet unreleased historic photos is included and linked directly to owners of seven watches featured in this book.

The first volume features also the legendary and unique Mare Nostrum Chronograph, followed by a view on rare compasses used during the Second World War, before a chapter on buckles and straps is closing the first volume of Vintage Panerai “The References”.

The second volume of “The References” (696 pages, counting from page 697 to 1392, trilingual German, Italian and English language in one book) is dedicated to watches and instruments from the 1950’s to 1960’s (References 6152, 6154, 6152/1, GPF 2/56, Modified 3646, Transitional 3646, Modified 6152/1, compasses and depth gauges, straps and buckles) made by Guido Panerai & Figlio. The book features two watches from famous and high decorated italian veterans with their history relating to their active duty during the Second World War, as well as watches used by the Italian COMSUBIN special forces as well as divers of the Carabinieri and Polizia di Stato.

Furthermore, first-hand information from an Egypt frogmen veteran with yet unreleased historic photos of Guido Panerai & Figlio watches and instruments used by Egypt frogmen.

Compasses and depth gauges – huge and impressive instruments worn on the wrist – are featured in several versions as well as an overview of buckles and straps from this era at the end of the second volume of “The References”.

Sad news arrived us in January. German veteran Karl-Heinz Kiefer, one of the last remaining WW2 frogmen, died on 23 December 2015 at the age of 90. We send our condolences to his family.

Mr. Kiefer’s personal story as a frogmen was featured in chapter III of our 2011 book “History1” with information he provided us during several meetings and interviews until 2011. Mr. Kiefer received a Ref. 3646 / Type D with brass dial after he was successfully instructed to become a “Kampfschwimmer” in the last weeks of the Second World War. Karl-Heinz Kiefer was taken prisoner of war by the British at the island of Sylt, which was the final headquarter of the German frogmen units (codename “Weisskoppel”) before the end of the Second World War. Mr. Kiefer’s Panerai watch is one of the very few watches in our records which can be tracked from present day back to its use in early 1945.

Karl-Heinz Kiefer started his navy career in the Kriegsmarine in October 1943. He completed his recruit training in Stralsund (Baltic Sea) as member of the “Crew 10/43”. After his recruit training he went on board the destroyer Z 25 in Gotenhafen in January 1944, where he completed his second part of his officer training, the so-called “on-board recruit period” until July 1944.

From this part of his career, Karl-Heinz Kiefer found a photo of himself in 2012 at his home, which he provided us for adding in our history records. As it was too late to feature it in the already published book “History1”, we want to share this photo to remember him. The backside of the photo bears a date stamp (18 March 1944) and the photographer’s stamp, based in Danzig (Baltic Sea).

After his officer training he posted to the special marine unit (“Kampfschwimmer”) in December 1944, as he was an excellent swimmer who participated several swimming competitions, such as the German youth championships in 1942. Released from the POW camp after only eight weeks, he left the island of Sylt in June 1945. Mr. Kiefer became a school teacher in 1946 until his retirement as principal.

Related to his Ref. 3646 / Type D Panerai watch, we remember his many detailed memories during the 2011 interview at the age of 85: “Whoever had his own diving watch, and no longer needed to return it to the store after exercises along with the other pieces of equipment, was a fully-trained combat swimmer, ready for action. Whoever wore the Panerai on his arm really belonged.” 

We are glad, that we had the chance to meet Mr. Kiefer in person, listened to his very personal experiences of his time when he became a frogmen. We asked him questions, on which we received helpful, interesting but also moving answers. Questions, which sadly one day non of those veterans will be able to answer anymore…

“Auf Wiedersehen!” – farewell, Mr. Kiefer – rest in peace!
[Ralf Ehlers & Volker Wiegmann] 

Our new book “The References” will be available again in 2016. After the first edition from 2009 was sold out in January 2013, we have updated this book in extended version with the latest excerpt of more than 380 Vintage Panerai watches recorded in our database: Vintage Panerai “The References” 2nd edition (2016), published in two volumes, 696 pages each, with a total of 1392 pages:

Vintage Panerai “The References” 1930’s-1940’s
2nd edition (2016), volume 1

26 x 26 cm, 696 pages, charts and more than 380 illustrations,
trilingual (German, Italian and English language in one book),
hardback jacket, slipcase.

Watches and compasses from Guido Panerai & Figlio (chapter I – IV plus chapter V on buckles and straps) produced in the 1930’s – 1940’s.

Vintage Panerai “The References” 1950’s-1960’s
2nd edition (2016), volume 2

26 x 26 cm, 696 pages, charts and more than 350 illustrations,
trilingual (German, Italian and English language in one book),
hardback jacket, slipcase.

Watches, compasses and depth gauges from Guido Panerai & Figlio (chapter VI – XI plus chapter XII on buckles and straps) produced in the 1950’s – 1960’s.

Both new Vintage Panerai “The References” books can be ordered only via our online bookstore as soon as they are in stock and ready for shipping.
[Ralf Ehlers & Volker Wiegmann]

Latest entry in our Vintage Panerai database is a Ref. 3646 / Type D with brass dial, located in the United Kingdom. According to the family of the british WW2 veteran, this watch has been brought from Germany at the end of the war and has been kept untouched for seventy years.

Features of the watch:
Reference: 3646 / Type D
Dial: “Kampfschwimmer”  (painted brass, anonymous)
Case number: 2608XX
Movement: Rolex Cal. 618 / Type 1

By the end of the year 2015 we have 377 records in our Vintage Panerai database.

Have a good start into 2016!
[Ralf Ehlers & Volker Wiegmann]

Sad news from Italy: Emilio Bianchi passed away on Saturday, august 15^th 2015 at the age of 103. We send our condolences to his family in Torre del Lago / Tuscany.

The Marina Militare published an online note on Sig. Bianchi’s funeral here. British online news “The Telegraph” published a note here. Italian online news “La Repubblica” published a note here.

Emilio Bianchi was the last living member of the “fab six” SLC commandos, who took part at the mission “G.A. 3” in December 1941. For being co-pilot of Luigi Durant De La Penne’s SLC221 against the “HMS Valiant” in the harbour of Alexandria / Egypt, he was awarded with the Italian Gold Medal for Gallantry at War (M.O.V.M.).

Emilio Bianchi took part on several Club Panerai meetings in Viareggio / Tuscany. The visit of the former training camp for SLC commandos during WW2, an old farm house at Bocca di Serchio, will remain unforgettable to Panerai enthusiasts who took part back in May 2005.

[photo: Emilio Bianchi with members of the Club Panerai meeting at Bocca di Serchio, 2005]

…another box in the “to do list” ticket: visited the Imperial War Museum in London and finally found some time to take a close look at one of the very few today existing “Human Torpedo” devices of the italian “Mezzi d’Assalto” forces in WW2: The legendary “Siluro San Bartholomeo” (SSB).

Another example is located in the United Kingdom at the Royal Navy Submarine Museum in Gosport/Portsmouth Harbour, one is located in the United States at the Mariners’ Museum in Newport News/Virginia while one SSB remains in Italy at the museum of the Com.Sub.In. Comando in Varignano/La Spezia.

This particular SSB device – the “Delta No. 3” – was produced in February 1945 by Caproni in Milan. Other than the earlier, more known SLC devices (the “Maiali”), this later version hat a more streamlined shape in which both divers were sitting on seats, not “riding” as they did literally on the SLC torpedos’ body.

The SSB device measures almost seven meters in lenght with a weight of more than 2000 kilos. Armed with one (400 kg) or two removable explosive charges (180/200 kg) it was powered by an electric engine with 7,5 HP, reaching a speed of 4 knots.

The cockpit holds numerous instruments and control possibilities: Fore and aft level indicator, Ammeter, Pump revolution indicator, Motor control (4 forward speeds and reverse), a wheel type “joystick” as in an aircraft wheel controlled the rudder and the column controlled the diving fins (or elevators), trimming tank control, compass, depth gauge, diving tank pressure gauge and flooding valve. Pilot and Co-Pilot used knee clamps to sit tight on their seats during operation (the two knee clamps for the Pilot can be seen on the photo left and right from the motor control wheel).

During the research on our book “History2” we gathered some information about these SSB devices which were matching with the story in chapter VI. The german “Gruppo Maiale Lehmann” was based at San Andrea near Venice together with units of the “Mezzi d’Assalto” until the allied forces reached the Venice area in April 1945. SSB and SLC devices were captured soon later by the British which took photos of them – three of these historic photos from 1945 made it into chapter VI on page 622, 624 and 625.

Page 622 – 623:
The recovered SSB device during inspection by a british officer on the Pilot’s seat in 1945.

Page 624 – 625:
The cockpit of one of the recovered SSB devices with the numerous instruments and control possibilities.

It was described in all its details by the Allies for top secret purposes and later recorded at archives in the United Kingdom where after decades they are available for the public just like the SSB exhibited at the Imperial War Museum in London – which was definately worth a visit. [Volker Wiegmann]

Christie’s New York features another rare Ref. 3646 / Type D (LOT 155)  in their upcoming Important Watches auction 3752 (June 17th). The watch with its anonymous “Kampfschwimmer” dial is recorded in our database since 2013.

Features of the watch:
Reference: 3646 / Type D
Dial: “Kampfschwimmer” (sandwich, anonymous)
Case number: 2606XX
Movement: Rolex Cal. 618 / Type 1

The inner caseback engravings bear the Rolex SA stamp, reference and case number of the watch. In combination with the Rolex Cal. 618 / Type 1 movement, these details are matching with our database criteria for watches of the Ref. 3646 / Type D number group.

The caseback of the watch bears the additional “Marine Kampf-Schwimmer” (navy frogmen) engraving plus the year of its service (1945). The initials of the watch’s first owner “AM” were engraved in a german POW camp right after the war, where some of the remaining german frogmen units were imprisoned. After the war, many watches “changed ownership” with members of the allied forces and travelled to these servicemen’s home countries (UK, USA…).

Like other valuable asset, wrist watches were sometimes traded for other goods, which were urgently needed for life back in these days (“lucky strike currency”). This is why today some of these watches surfaced overseas, as it is the case with this watch. Since the end of the 2nd world war this Ref. 3646 / Type D watch remained in the United States, where the family of the 2nd owner (a former U.S. Navy serviceman) contacted us in 2013 to find out the history behind.

Similar watches of the 3646 / Type D number group are featured in our books “History1” (chapter II) and “History2” (chapter V and VII). You can read in these books many details about training and missions in which these Panerai watches were an important part of the frogmen’s equipment during the 2nd world war.

The SIHH opened the doors at the Palexpo in Geneva on monday, january 19th, 2015 with yet another ace out of the Panerai DNA: a new Mare Nostrum Titanio chronograph (PAM00603) with mechanical hand-wound OP XXV calibre with a power reserve of 55 hours. The movement is developed on a Minerva 13-22 base with 18.000 vibrations per hour.

The 52 mm tonneau shaped case of the Mare Nostrum Titanio chronograph is made of brushed titanium, including a solid caseback, crown and pushers. Its water resistance is up to 3 bar. Typical for titanium watches from Panerai, this new Mare Nostrum Titanio chronograph bears a brown dial with two levels, just as the first vintage Mare Nostrum chronograph from 1943.

The chronograph functions are controlled by two push buttons, reading the central seconds hand and a minute counter dial at 3 o’clock. The permanent second hand is at 9 o’clock. The new Mare Nostrum Titanio is a Special Edition with only 150 units. Its great to see that the historic design of the Mare Nostrum chronograph from the 1940’s will be carried into the future of the brand with this new release at the 2015 SIHH.

[for further informations visit www.panerainovelties.com or www.panerai.com]

Beside watches from the Vintage, Pre-Vendome and Richemont era, some historical tools and instruments from Officine Panerai will be auctioned by Artcurial in Paris on monday, december 8th. A rare example of a Vintage Panerai depth gauge, aimed to 50 meters, with Radiomir dial and the typical white hand (depht gauges with Luminor come with a transparent hand), is listed as LOT 18 at “Panerai only” (Artcurial sale #2527).

The stainless steel case is matte grey coated, sized 70 x 90 mm. Historical Panerai instruments (screwed lugs) use the same 26 mm leather straps as those who were mounted on watches, treated for seawater use. The length of the strap was long enough to wear the depth gauge over the 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 (different versions between 24 mm and 27 mm exists) is made of Plexiglas.

By taking a close look at the dial of this instrument, one can see that it is made in the same “sandwich method” than the dials of the Vintage Panerai watches. The dial of this depht gauge has markers of 2.5 meter steps from surface to 20 meters, and 5 meter steps from 20 to 50 meters (maximum depth).

An overview of seven different aimed depth gauges (using Radiomir or Luminor luminous material) can be found here.

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

Inbetween the today known watches of the Ref. 6152/1, the version with crown protecting device and Angelus 240 SF 8 Days movement is one the rarest. Recently on display at Munichtime, this specimen represents the Panerai DNA in the bright spotlight: a massive 47 mm case, patented crown protecting device, sandwich dial with “Luminor” luminous material and the small second subdial. Typical feature of the watches with Angelus movements are the single pencil shaped hands. Read more about the outer and inner differences between the Rolex and Angelus version of the Reference 6152/1 here.

Features of the watch:
Reference: 6152/1 Angelus
Dial: “Luminor Panerai” (sandwich, engraved)
Case number: 124784
Movement: Angelus Cal. 240 SF (8 days)