Photo series “Vintage Panerai instrument of the week”

by on Sep.18, 2010, under General

Tried to catch some details of a depth gauge’s meter hand today. The “Luminor” elements (markers and numbers on the dial, tip of the hand) still glow in a strong green color when under influence of direct light – quite impressive for a tool of this age and very different to the instruments with “Radiomir” elements.

The shown depth gauge is calibrated to 16 meters. There exist many other versions for various dephts, depending on their use (attack or defense).

More informations about this Panerai instrument can be found in chapter III of our 1st book “Vintage Panerai – Watches with History”.

Comments Off on Photo series “Vintage Panerai instrument of the week” :, more...

Spot on: 6152!

by on Sep.10, 2010, under General

Everytime we get the chance to take a close look at a rare Ref. 6152 Panerai, we can’t resist to make a very close observation of its case profile, which is – compared to Ref. 6152/1 case profile – very different. During the X Club Panerai Meeting in Viareggio there was another chance to take a close look at a collector’s stunning Ref. 6152 watch (see illustration on the left).

Both references were delivered with 8 mm Rolex crowns, but the main feature of the better known (and more produced) Ref. 6152/1 is the Panerai crown protecting device. For many collectors it is difficult to understand the difference between a Ref. 6152 and a Ref. 6152/1 if they only see photos of both references.

If you ever have the chance to hold a Ref. 6152 Panerai watch in your hand: you must see and feel the small hollow and the slope (pink colored in the illustration) on the side of the case. If you compare it with the rounded case profile of a 6152/1, the difference is very clear and easy to spot.

You can read more about the Ref. 6152 Panerai in chapter II of our 2nd book “Vintage Panerai – The References” with detailled dimensions and supporting photos, comparing all three 615X references and their differences.

Comments Off on Spot on: 6152! :, more...

6152, 6154 and 6152/1 caseback classification

by on Sep.09, 2010, under General

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”.

1 Comment :, , , more...

3646 caseback classification (Type A – Type C)

by on Sep.08, 2010, under General

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.

Comments Off on 3646 caseback classification (Type A – Type C) :, , , , more...

3646 / Type B number group expanded to 1010024

by on Sep.06, 2010, under General

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.

Comments Off on 3646 / Type B number group expanded to 1010024 :, , more...

Happy Birthday, paneristi.com!

by on Sep.01, 2010, under General

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]

Leave a Comment : more...

The Rolex Cal. 618 with Incabloc: “Type 3″

by on Aug.27, 2010, under General

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”.

Comments Off on The Rolex Cal. 618 with Incabloc: “Type 3″ :, , , more...

Photo series “Vintage Panerai instrument of the week”

by on Aug.16, 2010, under General

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)

Comments Off on Photo series “Vintage Panerai instrument of the week” :, more...

The Rolex Cal. 618 without Incabloc: “Type 1”

by on Aug.10, 2010, under General

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”.

Comments Off on The Rolex Cal. 618 without Incabloc: “Type 1” :, , , more...

“Database grows” – three new 6152/1 entries in one week!

by on Aug.06, 2010, under General

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.

Comments Off on “Database grows” – three new 6152/1 entries in one week! :, , , more...