Movement of an electromechanical device, mounted in a cylindric display (made of plexiglas) for testing its functionality. The head of the plexi case is removed on the right photo. 

Panerai – as a supplier of the italian navy – has produced many different devices (delay mechanisms) for controlling and activating explosives.

A mechanical timer, used by the italian navy during the 2nd world war. To our knowledge today, these type of timers were used in warheads which have been carried by SLC torpedos. They have been inserted into a circular cavity on the starboard side of the warhead.

The countdown scale (delay mechanism) is adjustable to max. 10 hours. The case is made of brass. As the adjustable scale is not luminous, it had to be set before the mission (usually in total darkness underwater / night mission) started. Once the explosive was placed under the target, the timer had just to be activated.

We start to publish a “Vintage Panerai instrument of the week” photo series of interesting pieces provided from private collectors.

Beside the legendary watches (which have been only a small part of Panerai’s product range) the company produced a large number of different instruments and tools for nautical use over decades in the last century.