I can’t get enough of the Panerai DNA…
by Volker on Jun.17, 2010, under General
…looking at the 3646 again and again – always stunning to see and feel the design of this watch. It’s simple. It’s clean. It’s perfect. The Panerai DNA is still striking after 60+ years…!
“compass galore”
by Volker on Jun.15, 2010, under General
Overview of various Panerai compasses, produced from the late 1930’s to the 1980’s. Interesting to see how sizes, materials and design changed over decades.
In the center of the photo are four pieces of the famous GPF 4/55 model, surrounded by BSP 851 and BSP 852 (with black hood) models. BSP stands for “bussola subacquea da polso” (wrist compass).
On the left of the photo and in the upper right, three “white spirit” models are placed, which have a cylindric, non-metallic case. Some of them are fitted with a sticker, signed “Officine Panerai Firenze”, others have a “white spirit” sticker on, placed on the side or base of the plexi case. Extremely rare is the small compass in the base of the photo, which is the oldest version, used during WW2.
2 x Luminor Trittico
by Volker on Jun.12, 2010, under General
One of the unreleased photos from our 2nd shooting in 2009, showing two Luminor Trittico sets. Similar photos have been used for the first and last inside pages of our 2nd book “Vintage Panerai – The References” in darkness and daylight conditions.
Two Luminor compasses, two Luminor depth gauges (15 and 16 meters), a 6152/1 “Luminor Panerai” watch with Rolex Type 4 movement (cal. 618 Cortebert, 17 Rubis, Incabloc shock protection) and a 6152/1 “Luminor Panerai” watch with Angelus 240 SF movement (signed june 1961, 15 Rubis, Incabloc shock protection).
Photo series “Vintage Panerai instrument of the week”
by Volker on Jun.07, 2010, under General
An electro-mechanical device with 9 days power reserve for controlling and activating explosives (delay mechanism). Swiss “Reform” movement with 15 Rubis, 1a quality level, signed “Panerai Firenze”.
The following text is engraved on the lid (upper left photo):
important
avoid dangerous circuit closures should observe the following precautions.
1) make sure before starting the graduation of the external switch on the lid is in open position.
2) meter should never be left calibrated to zero.
Photo credits to Assaf Burstein from Israel
Rolex inside…
by Volker on Jun.03, 2010, under General
Movement view of two vintage Panerai watches: Rolex inside…!
The differences in decoration and engraving of the bridges are clearly visible on Rolex Cal. 618 Type 1 and Type 4 movements.
During our research work we created for a better understanding a subdivision of 4 movement types, which is an important feature of our database of today’s existing vintage Panerai watches. Basically they are all Cal. 618, but they show differences in many details.
Beside the engravings and different decoration, the main identifying features are:
Type 1 = 17 Rubis, no Incabloc (used in Ref. 3646 Type A – G and in Ref. 6154)
Type 2 = 15 Rubis, no Incabloc (used in Ref. 6152)
Type 3 = 15 Rubis, Incabloc shock protection (used in Ref. 6152/1)
Type 4 = 17 Rubis, Incabloc shock protection (used in Ref. 6152/1)
Left watch: Ref. 3646 / Type D
Rolex Calibre 618 Cortebert Type 1.
16 Lines, power reserve approx. 36 hours, 18.000 half-oscillations per hour.
17 Rubis, no Incabloc.
Right watch: Ref. 6152/1
Rolex Calibre 618 Cortebert Type 4.
16 Lines, power reserve approx. 36 hours, 18.000 half-oscillations per hour.
17 Rubis, Incabloc shock protection.
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”.
Small Panerai compass (WW2 aera)
by Volker on May.31, 2010, under General
Recently Ralf discovered a rare Panerai compass, produced in the WW2 aera. It is smaller (case diameter 54 mm / height 28 mm, on the right of the photo) than the later produced compasses (case diameter 70 mm, on the left of the photo), together with a 3646 / Type D watch (produced in 1943-1944).
The small Panerai compass has flexible lugs (26 mm width) and a plexiglas dome with one screw on the side, which can be removed to fill up the fluid). The top of the plexiglas dome has a bearing line and is screwed to the case with six screws. The screws reaching deep into the side part of the plexiglas dome, which is a remarkable difference between the WW2 aera and post WW2 aera versions.
It’s also interesting to see that the compass dial of this early production is divided into (only) 45° sections, not like the “younger” compasses which are divided into 22.5° sections.
We know another compass of the same production batch, which is engraved “Officine Panerai Brevettato” on the caseback, while this piece has a plain caseback without a Panerai signature. For some reasons some of the post WW2 instruments (e.g. depth gauges) are “anonymous” (not engraved on the caseback), while most of them bear the “Officine Panerai Brevettato” signature.
Photo series “Vintage Panerai instrument of the week”
by Volker on May.26, 2010, under General
Elettrosegnalatore GPF 1/58 Brevetto IT. N° 47/165. Signal light used by the italian navy.
Powered by internal batteries (see upper left details in the photo) or external 12V DC supply (not pictured), which can be connected by cable at the bottom of the rear grip. The signal light can be activated by a “pistol-like” trigger, using an aiming device for sending the light singnals straing to their destination. The GPF 1/58 is equipped with a shoulder extension which can be mounted additionally to the rear. Light colors can be changed by turning the wheel on the base of the front grip, which rotates the filters next to the light bulp.
The signal light, shoulder extension and spare light bulps are stored in a leather suitcase. The external power supply is stored in a separate, smaller suitcase of similar type.
Spotted in La Spezia: 6152/1 “Marina Militare”
by autor on May.20, 2010, under General
It happens rarely, and probably only in Italy, that you can spot a Vintage Panerai on a wrist “in the wild”. So it was when we visited the Museo Technico Navale (“Arsenale”) in La Spezia during the X Meeting Club Panerai.
Our museum guide was wearing a stunning Ref. 6152/1 with “Marina Militare” dial, Rolex movement, double pencil hands (sharp heads). The caseback bears a rare S.M.Z M.M. matriculation number. Fantastic piece – one more for our database!
X Meeting Club Panerai
by Volker on May.19, 2010, under General
Returned from a great weekend in Viareggio/Italy, home of the Club Panerai, which just celebrated it’s 10th birthday (2000 – 2010). Piero Lapiana realized another great meeting with friends, watches and food.
I’ve published a report in the public forum at www.paneristi.com. Enjoy reading part 1 / part 2 / part 3.
Fellow paneristi mates have published their personal reports 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.
Italy – home of Panerai. [Volker Wiegmann]
Just because… a “Trittico”
by Volker on May.12, 2010, under General
A set of vintage Panerai instruments – the so called “Trittico”
Left: depth gauge (30 meters)
“Radiomir Panerai” dial, coated 70 mm case.
Center: watch (Ref. 6154)
“Egiziano Piccolo” with “Radiomir Panerai” dial, 47 mm case.
Rigth: compass
Dial divided into 22.5° sections, coated 70 mm case.
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