An example of our classification work: The reference 3646 is divided into seven production groups (Type A – Type G), different caseback markings and numbers are important indicators.

The illustration shows the following caseback versions:
Ref. 3646 / Type D Brevetee Rolex S.A.
Ref. 3646 / Type E (plain / only number)
Ref. 3646 / Type F Brevetee Rolex S.A.
Ref. 3646 / Type G (plain / only number)

You can read and see more about the different versions of Ref. 3646 watches in our book “The References” 1930’s-1940’s. Find the illustrations of  ref. 3646 / Type A – Type C casebacks here.

A yet unknown Ref. 3646 / Type D “Kampfschwimmer” surfaced recently.

During a visit at the german navy divers in Eckernförde, Ralf was able to put another watch into our database. One more piece of the big puzzle is placed into its right place!

Features of the watch:
Reference: 3646 / Type D
Dial: “Kampfschwimmer” (sandwich, anonymous)
Case number: 260518
Movement: Rolex Cal. 618 / Type 1

The watch has the original strap fitted on, including the “bent down” crome coated brass buckle and bears a fantastic individual engraving on the solid caseback: “Marine-Kampfschwimmer 1945 – RD” (“RD” are the initials of the unit, which used the watch during his missions. The engravings are done in the same style (with the same tool) as other watches of this type have been “personalized”. The watch is matching our database perfectly, of which we published several identical watches in chapter I.IV of our book “The References”.

Its a big pleasure to see a “clean” Rolex Cal. 618 / Type 1 movement in this watch. It underlines our database theories as well. It bears the typical features of a Type 1 movement, beside the fact that no parts of this movement have been replaced or changed with others.

[photos by Ralf Ehlers]

The Ref. 3646 Panerai watch with the “HK” initials and “Einsatzgruppe Keller” caseback engraving is in our database since 2005.

The initial onion shaped winding crown has been replaced with a Rolex Oyster crown of a different type. Parts of the luminous material on the steel minute hand have been broken out by aging process. Both features are not illustrated in our graphics (left), but of course part of the database for identification use.

The watch comes with a completely documented history of its initial owner, a german “Kampfschwimmer” unit, which makes it a very interesting and collectible piece – a true “warbird”.

Features of the watch:
Reference: 3646 / Type D
Dial: “Kampfschwimmer” (sandwich, anonymous)
Case number: 260630
Movement: Rolex Cal. 618 / Type 1

Took Sigi’s 3646 out to catch a nice view of the engraved caseback with his initials “SK” with my camera. Only a few of probably 16 watches from the “Einsatzgruppe Keller” exist today…

You can read more about “Kampfschwimmer” watches and their missions in chapter I.II, I.III and I.IV of our first book “Vintage Panerai – Watches with History”, also this watch is featured in our 2nd book “Vintage Panerai – The References” in chapter I.IV.

Took a photo of the “Kampfschwimmer” Panerai last weekend (Ref. 3646 / Type D). A watch, used in german missions at the eastern front in the last weeks of WW2 against pontoon bridges of the allied forces. The link to its first owner, a unit of the “Einsatzgruppe Keller”, is visible on the caseback by an engraving.

The watch is working great after more than 65 years and its a pleasure to wear it. It carries a lot DNA of the Panerai brand and provides much more than just the accurate time to me. It is powered by a Rolex Cal. 618 / Type 1 movement with 17 Rubis.

We have published an overview of different Rolex movement types used in Panerai watches here. Use the “browse by tag” feature to see and read more about these watches in our blog or click here to get transferred to an older blog entry about the same watch. 

You can read more about “Kampfschwimmer” watches and their missions in chapter I.II, I.III and I.IV of our first book “Vintage Panerai – Watches with History”, also this watch is featured in our 2nd book “Vintage Panerai – The References” in chapter I.IV.

It’s simple. It’s clean. It’s perfect. The Panerai DNA is still striking after 60+ years…! The photo shows a Ref. 3646 / Type G watch with Oyster crown and the typical flat bezel (1944).

Read more about the “California Dial” watches – the DNA of Panerai – in both of our books.  [Volker Wiegmann]

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.

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.

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”.

…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…!