Sotheby’s has a Ref. 3646 / Type D “Kampfschwimmer” watch in their upcoming Important Watches auction in Geneva, november 12th (LOT 293).

This watch is one of the lowest case numbers known today in the number group of Ref. 3646 / Type D. It is accompanied with a compass and comes with its original domed plexiglass. The tongue part of the leather strap is missing, while the buckle part is still present.

The inner caseback engravings, in combination with the Rolex Cal. 618 / Type 1 movement, are matching our database criteria (see photo below).

Features of the watch:
Reference: 3646 / Type D
Dial: “Kampfschwimmer” (sandwich, anonymous)
Case number: 260429
Movement: Rolex Cal. 618 / Type 1

We hope the watch will find a good new home and that it remain surfaced in the Vintage Panerai collectors world. [Ralf Ehlers & Volker Wiegmann]

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

Our new book “History2″ is featured in the august issue of the german watch magazine “ArmbandUhren” on page 6 in the column “library”.

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

Today we send our birthday greetings to the german frogmen veteran Karl-Heinz Kiefer, who can celebrate his 88th birthday in good health. Karl-Heinz Kiefer, born 1925, is featured in our book“History1” in Chapter III. A few weeks ago Volker visited Mr. Kiefer to handover the new book “History2” where he is featured in the preface.

Stay in good shape, Mr. Kiefer – alles Gute zum Geburtstag!
[Ralf Ehlers & Volker Wiegmann]

Recently we have added another yet unknown watch into our database.

Features of the watch:
Reference: 3646 / Type C
Dial: “Kampfschwimmer” (sandwich, anonymous)
Case number: 1010168
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”. Find the illustrations of  ref. 3646 / Type A – C casebacks here.

Still two weeks to go, but already “in the mood” for the XI Meeting Club Panerai in Viareggio/Italy, meeting collectors and passionated friends from Italy, Europe and Overseas. Piero Lapiana and his friends will prepare another great event for sure. Radiomirs and Luminors at its best! A presto!

Find my 2010 meeting report in the public forum at www.paneristi.com. Enjoy reading part 1 / part 2 / part 3. Fellow paneristi mates published their personal reports in 2010 as well: Ron (Isle of Man) at www.paneristi.com published a nice random photo galore. Ralf (Germany) has published a nice report at www.paneraiforum.de with several batches of photos. Find a line-up of my earlier travel reports (2005 to 2010) published at paneristi.com here.

Wishing all attendees safe travels and a great time – a presto! 
[Volker Wiegmann]

“Seven in one strike” – a collection of different Officine Panerai depth gauges, gray coated 70×90 mm cases.

7 meters (Radiomir)
15 meters (Luminor)
30 meters (Radiomir)
35 meters (Radiomir)
40 meters (Luminor)
50 meters (Radiomir)
60 meters (Radiomir)

[photo by Ralf Ehlers]