Vintage Panerai watches with rare flat brass dials are recorded in three number groups of the Reference 3646 in our database. Read our new “The References” book (volume one / 1930’s-1940’s) to find out, in which of the seven number groups (Type A – Type G) the dial with the typical “closed 6 and 9” can be found.

One of these watches with flat brass dial even marks the last watch of the Reference 3646 today, being a watch of the 3646 / Type G number group with the highest case number recorded in our database yet. This watch is featured in chapter II.VII on page 640-645.

Information on “The References” 1930’s-1940’s (first volume) can be found here.

Our new “The References” books can be ordered only in our bookstore.

Enjoy reading!
[Ralf Ehlers & Volker Wiegmann]

Watches from Guido Panerai & Figlio are deeply connected to the history of the Royal Italian Navy during the Second World War. In our new book “The References” we have included an overview of the missions of the “Decima” aside the legendary watches, which were an important part of the units of the underwater (“Mezzi Subacquei” / “Gamma” frogmen and SLC) and surface (“Mezzi di Superficie” / explosive boats) special forces of the Decima MAS (“Mezzi d’Assalto”).

Chapter I and II of the first volume (1930’s-1940’s) carry the history of a new weapon – the SLC slow running torpedo, called “maiale” – and the men who trusted on the watches from Guido Panerai & Figlio during their dangerous missions in deep and darkness of the mediterranean sea. Because of the significance of the fascinating history behind these watches, we have dedicated our new book “The References” to the inventors of the SLC, Teseo Tesei and Elios Toschi.

Chapter II of “The References” features some of the rarest Panerai watches owned by famous and high decorated Italian veterans. The first watch of the Reference 3646 / Type A, featured in chapter II.I, belonged to Admiral Ernesto Notari. He was awarded with the Silver Medal for Gallantry at War (M.A.V.M.) for the mission B.G.6 in May 1943. The documentation of the watch and the history of Ernesto Notari, including a summary of the “Mezzi d’Assalto” missions until 8 September 1943 can be read from page 58 to 153 in chapter II.I.

Chapter II.II, about the watches of the Reference 3646 / Type B, features the watch of the legendary “Gamma” frogman Luigio Ferraro. He was awarded with the Gold Medal for Gallantry at War (M.O.V.M.) for his “Stella” missions in the eastern part of the mediterranean sea in 1943. The documentation of the watch and the history of Luigi Ferraro can be read from page 190 to 225 in chapter II.II.

A watch of the Reference 3646 / Type C which belonged to the SLC pilot Licio Visintini is featured in chapter II.III. Visintini took part in several missions against the allied fleet in Gibraltar. After surviving from mission B.G.3 and B.G.4 in 1941, Visintini returned undercover to Gibraltar in June 1942 where he built the core of the “Orsa Maggiore” on board the tanker Olterra – the hidden base for the SLC units of the “Decima” in the bay of Gibraltar (see coffee table shot on the left). Mission B.G.5 turned into a “mission with no return” for Licio Visintini in December 1942… The documentation of the watch and the history of Licio Visintini can be read from page 350 to 397 in chapter II.III.

Information on “The References” 1930’s-1940’s (first volume) can be found here.

Enjoy reading!
[Ralf Ehlers & Volker Wiegmann]

During our research for our new “The References” books we came across several rare historic photos taken during the Second World War.

Chapter II.IV (Reference 3646 / Type D) in the first volume (1930’s-1940’s) features a very interesting photo of a group of German “Kampfschwimmer” units at their training base in the Venice lagoon, taken in the summer of 1944 (page 514-515). On several wrists of these frogmen, Panerai watches can be clearly spotted.

Enjoy reading! Our new “The Reference” books are in stock and can be ordered only in our bookstore.

The first volume of “The References” features watches of the Reference 3646 from seven different number groups, which we have sorted since 2009 into 3646 / Type A to 3646 / Type G. Some of the featured watches appear in untouched, unpolished and unrestored condition which are very interesting to discover after more than 70 years of their use during WW2.

The coffee table shot shows the Rolex 618 / Type 1 movement of a 3646 / Type B watch with riveted plastic dial (“Radiomir Panerai”) and engraved caseback on page 230-231 in chapter II.II (first volume).

Enjoy reading! Our new “The Reference” books are in stock and can be ordered only in our bookstore.

Our new “The References” books are in stock. Both volumes (2 x 696 pages) can be shipped immediately now.

Yesterday, as promised, all completed pre-orders from 19 February to 3 March 2016 have been sent out from our office with DHL in the first shipping wave. A tracking information from DHL has been sent via email to our customers to follow the delivery schedule.

Both volumes – 1930’s-1940’s and 1950’s-1960’s – feature first-hand information and several, yet unreleased photos of Italian, German and Egypt frogmen. The coffee table shot shows two book sets in their green canvas slipcases with black embossed spine. In front of the two book sets, page 1064-1065 of chapter IX (second volume / 1950’s-1960’s) is featuring a photo of an Egypt frogmen in the 1960’s, wearing a “Trittico” of Guido Panerai & Figlio watches and instruments (GPF 2/56, depth gauge and compass).

Information on “The References” 1930’s-1940’s (first volume) can be found here.
Information on “The References” 1950’s-1960’s (second volume) can be found here.

Our new “The References” books can be ordered only in our bookstore.
Learn how to order in our FAQ section.

Enjoy reading!
[Ralf Ehlers & Volker Wiegmann]

Our new “The References” books feature five watches of famous italian WW2 veterans. They wrote naval history with their SLC and frogmen missions in the mediterranean sea, which are linked to the history of these legendary watches. Both volumes – 1392 pages – are available only in our bookstore.

The photo shows page 354-355 / chapter II.III of the first volume (1930’s-1940’s / 696 pages) featuring watches of the Reference 3646 / Type C.

Enjoy reading!