…soldered or solid lugs?
by Volker on Dec.01, 2020, under Allgemein
No matter what’s your favourite Vintage Panerai case design, our book set “The References” features both versions: soldered lugs and solid lugs – 70 watches on 1392 pages.
The tag 696 is connected with all stories published about the first volume on 696 pages: watches, history, instruments and straps of the 1930’s-1940’s. The early References 2533 (chapter I) and 3646 (chapter II) are explained and with rich reference to several variants by their number groups. This overview is complimented by the legendary Mare Nostrum chronograph (chapter III), rare compasses (chapter IV) used in the Second World War and some of the few straps and buckles which rarely survived after more than 70 years (chapter V).
The tag 1392 is connected with all stories published about the second volume on the follwing 696 pages (from page 697 to page 1392): watches, history, instruments and straps of the 1950’s-1960’s. The References 6152 (chapter VI) and 6154 (chapter VII), are followed by Reference 6152/1 with the famous crown-protecting device are explained in detail and many variations in chapter VIII. Followed by the Reference GPF 2/56 with Angelus movement (chapter IX), “The References” 1950’s-1960’s features in chapter X the Modified References 3646, Transitional 3646 and Modified Reference 6152/1. Chapter XI is about compasses and depth gauges, followed by the last chapter XII, an overview of the straps and buckles used on watches and instruments from Guido Panerai & Figlio in this era.
Visit our bookstore and enjoy reading soon!
[Ralf Ehlers & Volker Wiegmann]
Phillips HK XI featuring Vintage Panerai
by Volker on Nov.10, 2020, under Allgemein
Got a stem and crown in your drawer?
by Volker on May.31, 2020, under Allgemein
We added a Ref. 3646 / Type D with painted brass dial into our database earlier this year. The watch was later given to Dr. Crott Auctioneers for their upcoming 102nd Auction on 29 June 2020. Recently we took the chance and stopped by in Mannheim to take some live photos of the watch.
The watch with anonymous painted brass dial appears with an unpolished case with a matching flat bezel and original, domed plexi. The caseback of the watch is plain (not engraved with a signature or initials of the first owner).
Inside the watch is a Rolex Cal. 618 / Type 1 movement with typical decorations and engravings on the bridges (ROLEX 17 RUBIS / FAB. SUISSE). The blued steel hands appear untouched, with the original luminous material, partially broken out on the minute hand.
The original winding crown and stem are missing. Its not impossible to find these parts, however it is not easy, too. But if this would happen after the auction during a service, the new owner would have a really nice Ref. 3646 / Type D with a lot patina on his wrist. Fingers crossed…!
The inner caseback bears the typical Rolex SA hallmark, reference and case number known for 3646 / Type D watches. Watches of the Reference 3646 / Type D are featured in our book “The References” 1930’s-1940’s in chapter II.IV (page 398-531) including a historic photo of a “Kampfschwimmer” wearing a 3646 with brass dial on page 475. Brass dialed Ref. 3646 / Type D are featured on page 468-493. In this part of the book, an overview of different decorative polish on the inside of the caseback (Type A – Type G) can be found on page 486.
Features of the watch:
Reference: 3646 / Type D
Dial: “Kampfschwimmer” (painted brass, anonymous)
Case number: 2607XX
Movement: Rolex Cal. 618 / Type 1
The watch will be up for auction here.
In stock: our coffee table books
by Volker on Dec.06, 2019, under Allgemein
Our four books are in stock and can be shipped immediately – just visit our bookstore. Use the browse by tags function to get further information about the content in each of the four books.
“History1” (420 pages)
“History2” (480 pages)
“The References” 1930’s-1940’s (696 pages)
“The References” 1950’s-1960’s (696 pages)
Each of our books comes with a hardback jacket (leather and canvas, black and blind embossed) in a slipcase (canvas, black embossed). The page size is 10.2 x 10.2″ / 26 x 26 cm.
All books are published trilingual (German, Italian and English language). Read how to place your order in our bookstore right here.
Visit our bookstore and enjoy reading soon!
[Ralf Ehlers & Volker Wiegmann]
A “Kampfschwimmer” is up for auction in New York
by Volker on Nov.16, 2019, under Allgemein
Christie’s New York will feature a Ref. 3646 / Type D with anonymous “Kampfschwimmer” dial and Rolex Cal. 618 / Type 1 movement in their upcoming auction Important Watches on 12 December, 2019. Read more in our Watch Point about this watch.
[Photo of the Ref. 3646 / Type D watch courtesy of www.christies.com]
Big and bold: the Vintage Panerai GPF 2/56.
by Volker on Nov.05, 2019, under Allgemein
Watches of the reference GPF 2/56 are featured in two of the twelve chapters of our new “The References” books and part of the second volume (1950’s-1960’s). The GPF 2/56 watches with “Radiomir Panerai” dials are featured in chapter IX.I, while the GPF 2/56 watches with “Luminor Panerai” dial are featured in chapter IX.II.
The photo shows a “lume shot” of a GPF 2/56 with grey anti-reflective coating and “Luminor Panerai” dial on page 1140-1141. More photos of this watch can be found on page 1136-1161.
Our “The Reference” books are available here in our bookstore. Enjoy reading!
Spot on: vintage straps and buckles
by Volker on Oct.20, 2019, under Allgemein
In both volumes of our new book “The References” we dedicated one chapter for straps and buckles. Highly collectible and sought after straps and buckles dating back to the Second World War are featured in chapter V.
The photo on the left shows two rare buckles from the Second World War era in different conditions. Because of their shape, these type of buckles were nicknamed “Bottle Opener” by collectors. Information on “The References” 1930’s-1940’s (first volume) can be found here.
The famous GPF mod. Dep. buckles from the 1950’s-1960’s are featured in chapter XII, together with an overview of different straps made for Guido Panerai & Figlio watches and instruments.
The photo on the left shows different buckles and straps. Information on “The References” 1950’s-1960’s (second volume) can be found here.
Our book “The References” is in stock (both volumes) and can be ordered in our bookstore. Learn how to order in our FAQ section.
Enjoy reading!
[Ralf Ehlers & Volker Wiegmann]
Ref. 3646 watches with “California Dials”
by Volker on Oct.18, 2019, under Allgemein
Vintage Panerai watches with “California Dials” are recorded in several number groups of the Reference 3646. Read our book “The References” 1930’s-1940’s to find out, in which of the seven number groups (3646 / Type A – 3646 / Type G) this type of dial has been used and which number group features almost half of all known 3646 watches with “California Dial” today.
The “Error-Proof Radium Dial” by Rolex, with its railroad track minute markers and “SWISS MADE” signature at six o’clock, features half arabic and half roman numbers with luminous material applied from above.
Information on “The References” 1930’s-1940’s can be found here. The new “The References” books can be ordered only in our bookstore.
Enjoy reading!
[Ralf Ehlers & Volker Wiegmann]
Watches and instruments with brown faded dials
by Volker on Oct.15, 2019, under Allgemein
Attractive to the eyes of many Vintage Panerai collectors, brown faded dials are featured in our book “The References” in chapter II.I (3646 / Type A) on page 58-91. Read more on this famous watch here.
The photo on the left shows a Ref. 6154 with brown faded “Radiomir Panerai” dial which is featured in chapter VII (one of five different watches of this reference introduced in this chapter on page 784-867). Read more about this reference here.
Chapter VIII.I features a Ref. 6152/1 (with Rolex movement) with brown aged “Radiomir Panerai” dial on page 902-909, followed by two Ref. 6152/1 watches with Angelus movement in chapter X.III on page 1236-1259 (both with “Luminor Panerai” dials). Read more about the Ref. 6152/1 watches with Angelus movements here.
Last but not least, a Guido Panerai & Figlio depth gauge, calibrated to 30 metres, with brown aged “Radiomir Panerai” dial is featured in chapter XI.II on page 1336-1337. Find more about the chapter XI.I and XI.II featuring different instruments here.
Our new “The References” books are in stock and ready for shipping – just visit our bookstore and enjoy reading soon! [Ralf Ehlers & Volker Wiegmann]
A Kampfschwimmer’s “3646 full set”…
by Volker on Sep.10, 2019, under Allgemein
CHAPTER IX @ “History2”: The collectible items of the former combat swimmer Helmut Rösel, which was submitted for auction back in November 2012, contains not only his Panerai watch but also some documents from his time as a combat swimmer, some of which are extremely rare in this day and age. They give precise information about the stages of his training and his successful missions at the western and eastern fronts. The German Federal Cross of Merit, which was awarded to him in 1983 provided new insights, following our enquires at the Office of the Federal President, into his professional career in the Protestant Church, in which he was a pastor from 1961 and a military chaplain for the Bundeswehr from 1971. Letters written personally by him and a 1994 jewellery certificate for his Panerai watch are precious pieces of evidence are just as difficult to find in this day and age as the historic Panerai watches themselves.
CHAPTER IX.I features “The Rösel Radiomir” – a Ref. 3646 / Type C with anonymous “Kampfschwimmer” dial and Rolex Cal. 618 / Type 1 movement.
The book “History2″ (480 pages / chapter IX: 98 pages, 63 photos, 4 technical illustrations) is in stock. It can be ordered directly in our bookstore. Enjoy reading!
Products
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Complete Library 4 Volumes
€856.00€685.00 -
Watches with History 2 Volumes
€378.00€340.00 -
The References 2 Volumes
€478.00€430.00 -
"The References" 1930's-1940's
€239.00
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"The References" 1950's-1960's
€239.00
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