Great news from Geneva today: Panerai presented the novelties of their 2011 collection.

One of the highlights are these two 47 mm watches, which got a lot attention immedately after they were released on the public forum at paneristi.com: PAM372 (Panerai P3000 cal. /regular production / 3000 units) and PAM368 (Panerai P2002/9 cal. / special edition / 1000 units), which use a lot DNA of the historical models, giving applause to the designers from Panerai for going this way!

The official Panerai website is updated – click here to see the novelties 2011.

Took Sigi’s 3646 out to catch a nice view of the engraved caseback with his initials “SK” with my camera. Only a few of probably 16 watches from the “Einsatzgruppe Keller” exist today…

You can read more about “Kampfschwimmer” watches and their missions in chapter I.II, I.III and I.IV of our first book “Vintage Panerai – Watches with History”, also this watch is featured in our 2nd book “Vintage Panerai – The References” in chapter I.IV.

Unique pieces from Ralf’s historic collection:
A complete combat swimmer’s suit (made by Belloni in 1944) worn by a german “Kampfschwimmer” frogmen in ww2, complete with face mask (twin-viewing-glass = the so called “model 49”), gloves, combat knife, flippers and other equipment.

The pendulum breathing apparatus, produced by I.A.C. in cooperation with Pirelli, is equipped with two oxygen tanks (stamped june 1944).

You can read more about the combat swimmer’s equipment in our first book “Vintage Panerai – Watches with History” in chapter III, page 167-201.

Seasons greetings from snow white Germany!
[Ralf Ehlers & Volker Wiegmann]

Officine Panerai produced various versions of high precision lathes in the middle of the last century. These tools are a great proof of precision and quality level of the Officine Panerai company, being able to create high precision tools for mechanical workshops in different types.

“Tornio Panerai – Mod. G.P.2 per orologeria” 

Diametro foro dell’ albero (spindle drill) 8mm
Lunghezza bancale (bench lenght) 300 mm
Distanza punta (pointing length) 150mm
Altezza punte (pointing height) 40mm

[photo by Ralf Ehlers]

The “Tornio Panerai – Mod. G.P.2 per orologeria” is featured in the “Torni Panerai – Catalogo N. 20” on page 11 (dated march, 1963).

Officine Panerai signal torch, creating three different light colors by a rotating head (white, green and red light) with external device to turn on and off (fixed or flashing light; patented in the 1950’s).

Dimensions of the signal torch:
length 23 cm / calibre 5.8 cm (head), 3 cm (rear/grip)
powered by 1 x 3Volt Superplus battery

[photo by Ralf Ehlers]

Comparing the different sizes of two Panerai torches for divers. Waterproof, rubber coated case with external device to turn on and off (fixed or flashing light; patented in the 1950’s).

Dimensions of the large torch (rare):
length 28 cm / calibre 7.5 cm (front), 4.5 cm (grip)
powered by 3 x 1.5 Volt mono batteries

Dimensions of the small torch:
length 16,5 cm / calibre 6 cm (front), 3 cm (rear/grip)
powered by 1 x 3Volt Superplus battery

[photo by Ralf Ehlers]

Took a photo of the “Kampfschwimmer” Panerai last weekend (Ref. 3646 / Type D). A watch, used in german missions at the eastern front in the last weeks of WW2 against pontoon bridges of the allied forces. The link to its first owner, a unit of the “Einsatzgruppe Keller”, is visible on the caseback by an engraving.

The watch is working great after more than 65 years and its a pleasure to wear it. It carries a lot DNA of the Panerai brand and provides much more than just the accurate time to me. It is powered by a Rolex Cal. 618 / Type 1 movement with 17 Rubis.

We have published an overview of different Rolex movement types used in Panerai watches here. Use the “browse by tag” feature to see and read more about these watches in our blog or click here to get transferred to an older blog entry about the same watch. 

You can read more about “Kampfschwimmer” watches and their missions in chapter I.II, I.III and I.IV of our first book “Vintage Panerai – Watches with History”, also this watch is featured in our 2nd book “Vintage Panerai – The References” in chapter I.IV.

Small – but interesting – differences can be found in the Rolex Cal. 618 / Type 2 movements used in vintage Ref. 6152 Panerai watches: the bridges received different engravings, being technically the same (15 Rubis, no incabloc shock protection). Note the different position of ROLEX and 15 RUBIS!

For a better understanding, the differences are colored:
Rolex Cal. 618 / Type 2 = pink
Rolex Cal. 618 / Type 2 mod. = yellow.

Such differences in engraving the bridges are similar to the Rolex Cal. 618 / Type 1 and Type 1 mod. movements, which were used in Ref. 3646 Panerai watches. We have published these differences in our 2nd book “Vintage Panerai – The References”, in the chronological classification (page 12-29), and also illustrated in chapter I.VII (page 149).