Recently I had the chance to take some photos of two Ref. 3646 watches. The differences between Type C and Type D cases are always nice to point out, but the steel hands are striking eyecatchers on both of them. The blue color of the temperature-treated hands is coming well in a different ankle towards the light source, not easy to capture.

The Ref. 3646 / Type C appears to be one of the “dark red” dials which changed the color of the luminous “Radiomir” over decades. The Ref. 3646 / Type D marks a typical “Kampfschwimmer” watch with anonymous dial.

The casebacks of these watches bear the roots of their origin – both are individually engraved on the outer caseback. The Ref. 3646 / Type D watch has the personalized initials of the first owner and the unit he belonged to, engraved by hand. The Ref. 3646 / Type C watch bears the machine engraved name of the famous italian unit, which carried out underwater missions in the mediterranean sea – the Decima Flottiglia MAS – including its matriculation number.

For our next book “History2” we continue our research and editorial work in these days.

The traces of a Ref. 3646 / Type D “Kampfschwimmer” watch, its first owner and his mission targets back in 1945 are in our focus. Historical photos, maps and documents, together with impressive photos of this watch makes it another interesting chapter about Vintage Panerai watches and their history.

We’ve been informed by a fellow collector about an ebay auction of a Ref. 3646 / Type C watch (case number 1010222). The watch is in our database since march 2007.

Features of the watch:
Reference: 3646 / Type C
Dial: “Radiomir Panerai”  (sandwich, engraved)
Case number: 1010222
Movement: Rolex Cal. 618 / Type 1

Be careful in buying such watches at places like ebay (“buy the seller, not the watch!”)!

in the public forum about the use of a SLC symbol on the caseback of today’s Panerai watches. Interesting to follow the replies and comments. It’s all about learning and respecting other people’s opinions.

Sending birthday greetings to Italy: Omeris Arpesella, veteran of the italian “Gruppo Gamma”, celebrates his 97th birthday today.

Omeris has joined several Club Panerai Meetings in the past, where he has been introduced to Panerai collectors from all around the world. In 2005, his Ref. 3646 “California Dial” watch was stolen and still remains missing. After many Panerai collectors took notice at the public forum of www.paneristi.com about this tragedy during the V Meeting Club Panerai in Viareggio/Italy, funds were rised instantly by more than 70 people from all around the world, to buy him a brand new Panerai watch. This watch, a Ref. PAM210, is since then nicknamed as “The Omeris”. Piero Lapiana from www.clubpanerai.com had the honour to handover the new watch soon later to Omeris.

In 2006, exactly one year later, a memorial plate was given to Omeris by a group of Panerai collectors at the Museo Tecnico Navale La Spezia (see photo). The memorial plate bears the names of all people who realized “The Omeris”… This community performance remains as one of the unforgettable moments for many Panerai collectors.

Buon compleanno, Omeris!

Tried to catch the luminous activity of the Ref. 6152/1 “Luminor Panerai” dial today. After more than 55 years, Luminor it is still reacting strong on direct light impact, creating a wonderful “greenish glow”…!

This Vintage Panerai watch is featured in our new book “History1″. You can read more about its first owner Mario Arillo in chapter IV, page 227-391.

Our new book “History1” is featured in the new “timegeeks” magazine on page 16, introducing new watch book releases (http://timegeeks.dk). Platform owner Kristian Haagen, a passionated watch enthusiast and journalist, has provided us his latest magazine’s edition as pdf-file: August 2012.

Kristian “Bezelator” Haagen has received the 2003 and 2004 “asshat award” and is known in the watch world as a long-term member of the paneristi.com forum since september 2000. His unforgettable “corkscrew treatment” will remain as one of the most attended performances ever.

Our new book “History1″ is featured in the august issue of the german watch magazine “ArmbandUhren”. On page 10 new book releases are introduced in the “library” category, where our book has got a place between a new book about the “Royal Oak” and a book about the so-called “German Unity-Chronometers” from the 1940’s.

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

During my visit of Mr. Kiefer, featured in chapter III of our new book “History1”, we were speaking about the interview I had with him more than a half year ago. We came back to his instructor, Bernhard Dornsiepen, which watch was auctioned in april 2012 at Dr. Crott and soon later found a good new home half around the globe.

Mr. Kiefer showed me an old photo album which he collected photos, which were taken during veteran meetings after the war in the 1970’s and 1980’s at the island of Sylt, where Mr. Kiefer and his former comrads had been exercised to become “Kampfschwimmers” of the german navy. From time to time they returned tho the place of their training during war time, but this time – many years later – in times of peace and together with their families as a “reunion”.

On a few photos in the album, Bernhard Dornsiepen was visible, so it was the first time – accidential – that there was an image of him aside “just” his initals on the caseback of the watch… It is always nice to put a face behind a name!

A few months ago, only the watch was known. The initials on the caseback let us find the first owner, with the help of another veteran. Another few months later, a photo has been found, adding more “personal touch” on this vintage treasure.
[Volker Wiegmann]

Our new book “History1” is featured in the august issue of the german watch magazine “Uhren Magazin”. On page 34 new book releases are introduced, where our book has its place in the middle.

Get your copy at the newspaper stores across europe.
Find more info at www.watchtime.net