The references produced in the 1950’s and 1960’s show clearly differences in caseback markings. Beside the different shapes of center cases and lugs between 6152, 6154 and 6152/1, different Rolex markings are visible when caseback removed.

The illustration shows the following caseback versions:
Ref. 6152 Rolex (with case number)
Ref. 6154 Montres Rolex S.A. (with case number)
Ref. 6152/1 Montres Rolex S.A. (without case number)

You can read and see more about the different versions of Ref. 615X watches in our book “The References”.

Used in the minority of Ref. 6152/1 watches, the Rolex Cal. 618 / Type 3 movement comes with 15 jewels and the Incabloc shock protection. It was another development to improve the quality of the movements, after earlier Ref. 6152 watches held 15 jewel movements without the Incabloc feature. The escapement bridge is similar like on Rolex Cal. 618 / Type 2 movements, typical for movements powered with 15 jewels.

Compared to the Rolex Cal. 618 / Type 4 movement, which is used in most of the 6152/1 watches, the engravings on the movement bridges show clear differences. The “ROLEX” and “FAB. SUISSE” engravings changed their positions. The “SWISS MADE” engraving and the engravings of the jewels used (“15 RUBIS” on Type 3 / “17 RUBIS” on Type 4) changed positions as well.

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”.

Research in vintage watches is boring? Absolutely not! This week we got three new entries in our database, so three more pieces of the puzzle added. All of them are Ref. 6152/1 watches with Rolex movements, two with “Marina Militare” dial and one with “Luminor Panerai” dial. They all match with our database structure, which confirms its functionality during our research since years.

Looking thru my library today, I stopped at this photo which I took in april 2007. It was one of the first photos to build up the layout of our 1st book.

The pure DNA of Panerai featuring the crown protecting device, 47 mm case with solid lugs, huge domed plexi and “a strap like a belt” come out quite well, I think…

You can read more about the “Arillo Luminor” in our first book “Vintage Panerai – Watches with History”, chapter I.V, pages 114-141 and also in our 2nd book “Vintage Panerai – The References”, chapter IV.II, pages 226-237.

Interesting detail of the Rolex Cal. 618 / Type 4 and Type 3 movements: the small Cortebert symbol, engraved on the movement base under the balance cock. Both types of Rolex movements were used in Ref. 6152/1 watches (Type 3 = 15 Rubis version, Type 4 = 17 Rubis version).

The illustration left shows a Rolex Cal. 618 / Type 4 where the position of the “Cort” engraving can be found.

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”.

Interesting pieces of underwater equipment: an underwater spyglass / binoculars and the famous Galeazzi knife with tool grip, together with instruments from Guido Panerai & Figlio: compass, Ref. 6152/1 “Luminor Panerai” watch (Angelus Cal. 240 SF movement), depth gauge and “Elux” torch.

Movement view of two Ref. 6152/1 watches: Rolex Cal. 618 / Type 4 movement (17 Rubis and Incabloc shock protection) and the Angelus Cal. 240 SF (15 Rubis and Incabloc shock protection, signed “JUIN .61”) on the right.

Both watches have the legendary crown protecting device. The device of the watch with Rolex movement (124806) is signed “BREV. ITAL” and “9”, while the watch with Angelus movement (124784) is signed only with “3”.

Interesting to see, that the watch with Rolex movement has different hands (double pencil shape) compared to the watch with Angelus movement, which usually comes with single pencil shaped hands. Note also, that the size of the “Luminor Panerai” is different (smaller on dials with Angelus movement).

You can read and see more about the watch 124784 in our 2nd book “Vintage Panerai – The References”, chapter VI.III (page 312-329).

Nice view on a ref. 6152/1 dial with Angelus 240 SF movement. In this perspective, the “sandwich” construction of the Panerai dials is clearly visible. The luminous material is placed deeper / under the dial’s surface. It’s not painted on the face of the dials, as it was usually done by other brands at this time. Numbers and markers are cut out (milled) from the dial, which is matte black painted. The “Luminor Panerai” inscription is milled on the dial (but not cut out), filled with white color.

The “sandwich” dial is one of the most important identifying features – pure Panerai DNA.

Read more about this and other identifying features – the DNA of Panerai – in both of our books. [Volker Wiegmann]

One of the unreleased photos from our 2nd shooting in 2009, showing two Luminor Trittico sets. Similar photos have been used for the first and last inside pages of our 2nd book “Vintage Panerai – The References” in darkness and daylight conditions. 

Two Luminor compasses, two Luminor depth gauges (15 and 16 meters), a 6152/1 “Luminor Panerai” watch with Rolex Type 4 movement (cal. 618 Cortebert, 17 Rubis, Incabloc shock protection) and a 6152/1 “Luminor Panerai” watch with Angelus 240 SF movement (signed june 1961, 15 Rubis, Incabloc shock protection).

Movement view of two vintage Panerai watches: Rolex inside…! 
The differences in decoration and engraving of the bridges are clearly visible on Rolex Cal. 618 Type 1 and Type 4 movements.

During our research work we created for a better understanding a subdivision of 4 movement types, which is an important feature of our database of today’s existing vintage Panerai watches. Basically they are all Cal. 618, but they show differences in many details.

Beside the engravings and different decoration, the main identifying features are:
Type 1 = 17 Rubis, no Incabloc (used in Ref. 3646 Type A – G and in Ref. 6154)
Type 2 = 15 Rubis, no Incabloc (used in Ref. 6152)
Type 3 = 15 Rubis, Incabloc shock protection (used in Ref. 6152/1)
Type 4 = 17 Rubis, Incabloc shock protection (used in Ref. 6152/1)

Left watch: Ref. 3646 / Type D
Rolex Calibre 618 Cortebert Type 1.
16 Lines, power reserve approx. 36 hours, 18.000 half-oscillations per hour.
17 Rubis, no Incabloc.

Right watch: Ref. 6152/1
Rolex Calibre 618 Cortebert Type 4.
16 Lines, power reserve approx. 36 hours, 18.000 half-oscillations per hour.
17 Rubis, Incabloc shock protection.

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”.