German auctioneer Dr. Crott features two Vintage Panerai watches in their new invitation leaflet for the upcoming 86th auction on november 10th, 2012.

The Ref. 3646 / Type D “Kampfschwimmer” (left page / 1st line) was one of the highlights of their 85th auction. In the preview for the 86th auction there is again a Ref. 3646 / Type C “Kampfschwimmer” (right page / 2nd line) in the spotlight.

In the 20th anniversary issue of “Chronos”, a german watch magazine, remarkable auction results are featured in a report on page 122-125. Beside watches from Patek Philippe, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Rolex, Vacheron Constantin and Audemars Piguet, a Vintage Panerai Ref. 3646 / Type D  “Kampfschwimmer” is lined up with its hammer price (incl. buyers premium) sold at the 85th auction of Dr. Crott.

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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]

For our good friend Assaf Burstein from Israel, a long hunt is finally over. We took notice that he can call himself the new happy owner of a Ref. 3646 / Type C watch with “Radiomir Panerai” dial.

The watch has one of the dials which luminous elements (markers and numbers) turned into a deep red colour. In our opinion, the reason for this was the varying composition of the Radiomir paint used in the production of smaller batches. One of the few surfaced pieces of this kind with similar dial has been introduced more than two years ago here.

Not only the front of the watch is a stunner, also the caseback bears a “nice to have” feature, which doesn’t exist often today: less than 10 pieces are known with a “Xa FLOTMAS” (a short for “Decima Flottiglia MAS”) engraving, together with a matriculation number. It underlines that this watch has been used by italian frogmen during 2nd world war. Inside the watch, the Cal. 618 / Type 1 movement from Rolex is ticking, with the typical decorations on the movement bridges, which makes it “one more” clean 3646 / Type C watch entry in our database!

Features of the watch:
Reference: 3646 / Type C
Dial: “Radiomir Panerai”  (sandwich, engraved)
Case number: 1010244
Movement: Rolex Cal. 618 / Type 1

You can read and see more about the different versions of Ref. 3646 watches in our 2nd book “Vintage Panerai – The References”. In specific, watches of the Ref. 3646 / Type C are introduced in chapter I.III (page 67 to 83)

Congratulations, Asi – we’re very happy for the “new piece” in your collection!
[Ralf Ehlers & Volker Wiegmann]

Photo courtesy / with kind permission of Geoff Hess, USA

Today I had the chance to see another yet unknown Ref. 3646 / Type C “Kampfschwimmer” watch surfacing into the Vintage Panerai world. Auctioneer Dr. Crott kindly informed me that they just had a new arrival for their upcoming 86th auction which will be held in november 2012.

In its actual conditions, this watch is in my opinion a “raw diamond”. It is untouched, stored away for decades which let it appear today in its original conditions. It needs doubtless a cure at a good watchmaker with a heart for historic treasures – he can bring back the power and functionality on this fantastic piece for the future years.  However, the watch was running during my observation. As many other watches too, it has the tubular shaped “Oyster Patent” crown instead of the onion shaped “Brevet +” crown.

Features of the watch:
Reference: 3646 / Type C
Dial: “Kampfschwimmer”  (sandwich, anonymous)
Case number: 1010351
Movement: Rolex Cal. 618 / Type 1

The original strap has not “survived” but we know this has happened on most of the sewn-onto-the-case straps of Ref. 3646. It should be easy for the new owner to find a strap to his personal taste, so there are many options for this kind of  “personalization” for the future owner.

Once again, this “new surfaced” Ref. 3646 watch is matching our Type C criteria in all details, rising the number of Ref. 3646 / Type C database entries close to 50 watches…! In relationship with the 7 digit case number (the watch is inbetween the number group 1010091 – 1010374) is the Rolex SA embossing on the inner caseback, which is a typical feature of Ref. 3646 / Type C watches. Matching with the inner caseback engravings is the Cal. 618 / Type 1 movement from Rolex with its typical engravings on the center bridge. The outer caseback bears no engraving. The steel hands have kept their blueish color and the luminous material is still nearly complete!

You can also read and see more about the different versions of Ref. 3646 watches in our 2nd book “Vintage Panerai – The References”. [Volker Wiegmann]

Interesting news to come up soon this week, seems like Ref. 3646 is on the spot! This reference carries the DNA of the brand… simple but striking!

Stay tuned!
[Volker Wiegmann]

A very interesting 3646 / Type D watch will be auctioned at Auktionen Dr. H. Crott on their 85th auction on may 12th, 2012. The watch is matching in all details with our database.

Features of the watch:
Reference: 3646 / Type D
Dial: “Kampfschwimmer”  (sandwich, engraved)
Case number: 260437
Movement: Rolex Cal. 618 / Type 1

The caseback bears a rare engraving (“Marine Kampf-Schwimmer 1945″) with the initials “BD” of the german frogmen instructor Bernhard Dornsiepen. He has been mentioned by veteran Karl-Heinz Kiefer during an interview, which was held in december 2011, of which extracts will be published in our new book “History1″. He mentioned Dornsiepen as one of the instructors at Lehrkommando 700 (“Weisskoppel”) for indoor training several times and underlined his diving skills.

Similar watches can be found in chapter I.IV of our book “Vintage Panerai – The References”. We hope it will find a good new home!

Tried to catch a nice movement view of a Vintage Panerai “Kampfschwimmer” watch. The Rolex Cal. 618 / Type 1 used in Ref. 3646 watches are doubtless a part of the Panerai DNA. Strong machines, which still can keep perfect time after many years of use…