…and carrier of the brand’s DNA until today and in the future.

Watches of the reference 6152/1 are featured in four of the twelve chapters of our new “The References” books and part of the second volume (1950’s-1960’s). The 6152/1 watches with Rolex movements are featured in chapter VIII.I and VIII.II, 6152/1 watches with Angelus movements are featured in chapter X.III and X.IV.

The photo shows a 6152/1 with Rolex movement, “Luminor Panerai” dial and crown-protecting device (chapter VIII.II, page 962-963). Enjoy reading! Our new “The Reference” books are available only in our bookstore.

Sotheby’s London features a Ref. 6152/1 with 8 mm Rolex crown in their Watches auction on March 8th (Lot 139).

The 6152/1 with its brown aged “Radiomir Panerai” dial is recorded in our database since 2013 together with additional information dating back to the year 1992. Back then the faded brown color of the dial and the dark faded luminous material in the “Double Pencil – Sharp Pin” hands were already visible. The watch features a typical Rolex 618 / Type 4 movement (Type 4 = 17 Rubis and Incabloc shock protection).

Watches of the Reference 6152/1 with 8 mm Rolex crown are featured in our new “The References” 1950’s-1960’s in chapter VIII.I (page 878-921).

We hope that also this watch will find a good new home and remains surfaced in the Vintage Panerai collectors world. [Ralf Ehlers & Volker Wiegmann]

[Photo of the Ref. 6152/1 watch with kindly permission / courtesy of www.sothebys.com]

Christie’s Geneva will have a rare “Luminor Trittico” (LOT 174, set of watch, compass and depth gauge) in their upcoming Important Watches 1410 Auction (November 9th, 2015).

The Ref. 6152/1 watch with “Luminor Panerai” dial, Rolex Cal. 618 / Type 4 movement and crown protecting device is accompanied by a compass and depth gauge, both “Luminor” versions. The compass with this luminous material is – compared to the more existing pieces with “Radiomir” a very rare example. The Ref. 6152/1 watch and the “Luminor Panerai” depht gauge (aimed to 40 meters) are both marked with a very rare matriculation number of the italian Polizia di Stato (P.S.).

Features of the watch:
Reference: 6152/1
Dial: “Luminor Panerai” (sandwich, engraved)
Case number: 124XXX
Movement: Rolex Cal. 618 / Type 4

Today, less than 90 watches of the Reference 6152/1 with Rolex movements are recorded in our database, of wich ca. 3/4 are featured with the patented crown protecting device by Panerai. The today known 1/4 of these watches come with a Rolex 8 mm crown. More than 80% of all recorded Ref. 6152/1 watches with a crown protecting device are featured with the – typical – Rolex Cal. 618 / Type 4 movement (with 17 jewels and Incabloc shock protection), such as the present watch appears in the Christie’s auction.

Watches of the Ref. 6152/1 with Rolex movement and Panerai crown protecting device will be featured in chapter VIII.II of our upcoming book “The References” (2nd edition). Compasses and depht gauges will be featured in chapter XI.

We hope the watch will find a good new home and that it remain surfaced in the Vintage Panerai collectors world. [Ralf Ehlers & Volker Wiegmann]

[Photos with kindly permission / courtesy of www.christies.com]

Artcurial will auction another Ref. 6152/1 with “Marina Militare” dial during the “Panerai only” auction on monday, december 8th in Paris (LOT 41). The watch is accompanied by a compass in its grey cardboard box, building a set of Vintage Panerai wrist tools from the post-WW2 / 1950s era.

Noteable detail on this watch is the 180° rotated crown protecting device, signed “BREV ITAL.” and with additional small “4”. The watch is one of several specimen in our database which does not bear its six digit case number anymore, which usually can be found between the lugs at 6 o’clock. The caseback of the watch is engraved with “M.M. 050”.

Features of the watch:
Reference: 6152/1
Dial: “Marina Militare” (sandwich, engraved)
Case number: –
Movement: Rolex Cal. 618 / Type 4

The minute hand is “double pencil” shaped with “sharp pin”, while the hour hand appears to be thicker and slightly longer than usual, probably replaced. Inside the watch is working a Rolex Cal. 618 / Type 4 movement (17 Rubis + Incabloc shock protection) with typical engravings on the bridges of the movement. The inner caseback of the watch bears the typical Rolex marking of the refence 6152/1.

The compass appears with an orange discolored plexiglas dome (approx. 23 mm high) with a bearing line, under which the black compass dial can be spotted. This opaque condition is probably caused by polluted damping liquid (mixed with seawater), which affected the inside of the plexiglas dome which is connected to the case by six screws from the underside. The huge 70 x 90 mm sized steel case bears a “MOD. G.P.F. 4/55” engraving above the “OFFICINE PANERAI FIRENZE” in the center and “BREVETTATO” at the bottom (the LOT description does not provide if there is also an additional matriculation number between the lugs).

We hope the watch and compass will find a good new home and that it remain surfaced in the Vintage Panerai collectors world.
[Ralf Ehlers & Volker Wiegmann]

[Photos with kindly permission / courtesy of www.artcurial.com]

Only one year after its appearance at Christie’s sale 1398 in Geneva (november 2013), this Ref. 6152/1 “Marina Militare” with 8 mm crown will be up for sale again at Artcurial in Paris on december 8th during the “Panerai only” auction (LOT 40). With its case number 124516 it is one of the lowest case numbers inbetween more than 90 watches which are recorded in our database of todays existing Vintage Panerai watches of the Ref. 6152/1.

The watch comes with 8 mm Rolex crown / without crown protecting device and typical “double pencil” shaped hands with “dull pins”. Inside the watch is working a Rolex Cal. 618 / Type 3 movement (15 Rubis + Incabloc shock protection). The inner caseback of the watch bears the typical Rolex marking of the refence 6152/1, on the outside of the caseback is the letter “D” engraved / stamped in the center.

Features of the watch:
Reference: 6152/1
Dial: “Marina Militare”  (sandwich, engraved)
Case number: 124516
Movement: Rolex Cal. 618 / Type 3

We hope the watch will find a good new home and that it remain surfaced in the Vintage Panerai collectors world.
[Ralf Ehlers & Volker Wiegmann]

[Photos with kindly permission / courtesy of www.artcurial.com]

Inbetween the today known watches of the Ref. 6152/1, the version with crown protecting device and Angelus 240 SF 8 Days movement is one the rarest. Recently on display at Munichtime, this specimen represents the Panerai DNA in the bright spotlight: a massive 47 mm case, patented crown protecting device, sandwich dial with “Luminor” luminous material and the small second subdial. Typical feature of the watches with Angelus movements are the single pencil shaped hands. Read more about the outer and inner differences between the Rolex and Angelus version of the Reference 6152/1 here.

Features of the watch:
Reference: 6152/1 Angelus
Dial: “Luminor Panerai” (sandwich, engraved)
Case number: 124784
Movement: Angelus Cal. 240 SF (8 days)

German editor Jens Koch wrote an excellent story about the unique design of Panerai watches, following their roots from the past until today and in the future. The actual special issue of “Chronos” watch magazine (“Uhrendesign” / “watch design”) features his story on page 92-100.

By describing the history of Panerai from the early beginnings as a supplier of the royal italian navy until today’s models, photos of Vintage Panerai watches are featured (Ref. 3646 / Type D “Kampfschwimmer”, Ref. 6152/1 “Luminor Panerai” and a GPF 2/56 “Egiziano Grosso”). Koch explains in detail where Panerai today still use the DNA of the historic watches and how the brand can create new models by using the classic design elements today and in the future, as well as different case sizes and new materials.

Get your copy of the “Chronos Spezial Uhrendesign” at the newspaper stores across europe. Find more info at www.watchtime.net [Ralf Ehlers & Volker Wiegmann]

Doubtless one of the iconic Panerai design elements: the crown protection device. The patent was issued in july 1956 and described as “tight-seal device for the control knob of instruments, particularly for the setting and winding knob of watches”.

A 26 mm wide and 6.2 mm high area is milled out on the right edge of the polished case of Ref. 6152/1 watch, to allow a lateral attachment of the protection device, made from brushed stainless steel. The protection system, which is extending 8 mm above the right side of the case is fastened to the case with two screws. The L-shaped protective bar (in open position visible on the photo) is 2.9 mm wide and pushes the crown down firmly to the case when closed.

This Vintage Panerai watch is featured in our book “History1″. You can read more about its first owner Mario Arillo in chapter IV, page 227-391. Read more also in our book “The References” 1950’s-1960’s on page 924-927.

May 2014 will be interesting to follow three important auctions, where Vintage Panerai watches will be up for sale. We hope they find a good new home and remail surfaced in the Vintage Panerai collectors world.

Dr. Crott (Frankfurt/Germany) starts the auction month on saturday, may 10th. They have an engraved “Kampfschwimmer” Ref. 3646 / Type D in their 89th Auction (LOT 289). The watch comes with a rare brass dial, corresponding flat bezel, typical Rolex Cal. 618 / Type 1 movement, leather strap and very rare chromed brass buckle. The caseback of this Vintage Panerai watch is engraved with the initials of the first owner HV surrounded by Marine-Kampfschwimmer 1944.

Christie’s (Geneva/Switzerland) has another Ref. 3646 / Type D “Kampfschwimmer” on their Important Watches 1401 for auction (LOT 433) on may 12th. This Vintage Panerai watch comes with anonymous sandwich dial and the typical Rolex Cal. 618 / Type 1 movement (with 17 jewels and without Incabloc). The caseback is engraved with the initials of the first owner GF surrounded by Nahkampflehrer von L.K. 700 1945.

Last but not least, Sotheby’s (Geneva/Switzerland) presents a Ref. 6152/1 “Luminor Panerai” in their Important Watches auction (LOT 298) on may 14th. The watch belonged to Admiral Gino Birindelli (M.O.V.M.), commander of the Com.Sub.In. in the 1950s and SLC pilot veteran from WW2. The engine of this Vintage Panerai watch is the typical Rolex Cal. 618 / Type 4 movement (with 17 Jewels and Incabloc). It comes with a rare, rotating plexi bezel of which only a few pieces are existing today.

Another auction highlight in may will be a Ref. 6152/1 “Luminor Panerai” watch: Sotheby’s Important Watches in Geneva presents the watch of a famous owner on may 14th, 2014 (LOT 298).

Features of the watch:
Reference: 6152/1
Dial: “Luminor Panerai” (sandwich, engraved)
Case number: 1249XX
Movement: Rolex Cal. 618 / Type 4

The watch comes from the descendants of Admiral Gino Birindelli (1911 – 2008). It is one of very few existing Ref. 6152/1 watches with rotating plexi bezel. The movement of the watch is corresponding with our database, being a typical Rolex Cal. 618 / Type 4 version with incabloc shock protection and 17 jewels.

During the 2nd world war, Gino Birindelli was a pilot in the early SLC missions G.A.1 (August 1940 against Alexandra, transported by the submarine Iride), B.G.1 and B.G.2 (October 1940) in which he and his well known comrads (Damos Paccagnini, Teseo Tesei, Luigi Durant De La Penne, Alcide Pedretti, Emilio Bianchi / Gastone Bertozzi, Giuseppe Viglioli) were transported by the submarine Scirè under the command of Junio Valerio Borghese against targets in the harbour of Gibraltar. Birindelli and his co-pilot Paccagnini were captured and became POW. After his release from POW he was awarded with the gold medal for galantry at war (M.O.V.M.) in 1943 for his achievement during the mission B.G.2 in Gibraltar, 1940.

After the 2nd world war, Birindelli was commander of the Com.Sub.In. (Comando Subacquei ed Incursori) special forces in Varignano near La Spezia from 1948 to 1950 and from 1954 to 1956. Later he became commander of NATO forces of the Mediterranean in the early 1970s, followed by a political career in the italian parliament.

We hope the watch will find a good new home and that it remain surfaced in the Vintage Panerai collectors world. [Ralf Ehlers & Volker Wiegmann]

[Photo of the Ref. 6152/1 watch with kindly permission / courtesy of www.sothebys.com]