For years, the uncompromised functionality, the mechanical precision and an incomparable design have fascinated collectors of the early Panerai diving watches, which were important instruments for their users during their deployments. Exact timekeeping, perfect legibility in the dark and faultless functioning under water were the characteristics that were demanded by the Navy, which the watches from Florence fulfilled reliably.

The four stories in our book “History1” take the reader back to the time of the Second World War. With the second, expanded edition of the sold out book “Vintage Panerai – Watches with History” (published 2007) we give collectors of historical Panerai watches a deeper and more comprehensive insight into the wearers and the purpose of these watches. Today, subsequent generations can hardly imagine the conditions under which people lived and carried out their dangerous missions back then. Pictures from the period bear silent and impressive witness to the conditions and living circumstances, which we have also been able to supplement with rare map and image materials from various national and international archives.

For anyone who has collected these watches for some time, a number of questions arise automatically, answers to which cannot be found in any history book or company chronicle. It is simply not enough to know that the watches derive from a certain time and have the characteristics for which they are now famous. Instead, the collector with an interest in history wants to know who once owned the watch, and often tries to find out a name or some other information about the origin of the watch by examining the rarely-found engravings on the case. Happy are those who receive this information directly from the previous owner. But today – after 70 years – this is only seldom possible.

Our database of today existing Panerai watches, which we have built up and which continues to expand, forms the basis for dating and categorising these timepieces. It provides us with precise expertise, in especially rare cases also with information about the first owner of the watch. The findings from this database, together with the information known today about the original owners of the watches, give an insight into the time of their manufacture and use. In the confusion of the Second World War the watches often ended up in the hands of the Allies upon the imprisonment of their owners, the Italian and German combat swimmers, and some of them – to the great joy of many collectors – still re-emerge in this day and age.

Lost forever during their owner’s deployment, destroyed immediately after the assignment to get rid of evidence, exchanged immediately after the war in return for necessary everyday items – in times of bitter desperation such a watch often held no value for its owner and during its final operation changed from being a diving object to a pawning object…

A small number of historic Panerai watches reveal their secrets to the readers of “History1” and answer the ever-recurring question: Who used the watch? When did the operations take place, and to what purpose? And further: where and under what conditions did the comprehensive training of the special maritime unit take place? How and by what means were the deployments of the combat swimmers carried out? What do the veterans think of those missions today? We pursued the answers to these questions and, thanks to the help of some surviving veterans of the Second World War, their descendents, or by means of analysing previously unknown documents such as diaries, interview records or recordings by opposing spies, we managed to compile very impressive and authentic chapters.

It was and remains our objective to report factually and comprehensively about the historical Panerai watches and their wearers. “History1” is not a political statement about the time of the Second World War – rather, we have attempted to document the historically proven facts about the circumstances and events of this time, during which the Panerai watches were not items of jewellery for their wearers, but rather an important part of their equipment. It is particularly important to us that this book gives the veterans a “voice” that presents their stories authentically. “History1” describes their very personal experiences and touches on reminiscences, at times in the greatest detail, which in part brought back painful memories and emotions during discussions and in written correspondence with the veterans, even after so many decades. Without their inspiration and great support, this book would not have been possible in this form. For this we would like to express our deepest thanks to “our” veterans.

Our book “History1″ is in stock. It can be ordered directly at our bookstore. Enjoy reading!
[Ralf Ehlers & Volker Wiegmann]

The german watch magazine “Chronos” featured the Vintage Panerai Ref. 6152/1 – “The Arillo Luminor”– with an overview (page 64-69) about the details of the watch and the history behind its first owner, italian commander of the submarine “Ambra”, Mario Arillo (M.O.V.M.). The february-april issue “Chronos Spezial” is entirely about Panerai’s roots and history with a review from the past until today, including tests, movements and milestone models.

“The Arillo Luminor” is fully described in our book “History1″ in Chapter IV on 165 pages with 106 photos and 7 technical illustrations. The book “History1″ is in stock. It can be ordered directly in our bookstore.

Get your copy of the “Chronos Spezial” 1/2014 now at the newspaper stores across europe. Find more info at www.watchtime.net [Ralf Ehlers & Volker Wiegmann]

Close look at the “Luminor Panerai” dial of a Ref. 6152/1 watch. The surface of the sandwich dial with the milled and white painted letters is showing pure Panerai DNA above the double pencil hands.

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.

Opened Ref. 6152/1 with solid caseback and dust lid – the Rolex Cal. 618 / Type 4 movement bears the typical markings for this type of Vintage Panerai watches. You can see an overview of the three different inner caseback markings of the “615ers” here.

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.

Today’s issue of the newspaper FAZ (“Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung”) featured our book “History1” and “History2” in the column “Technology and Motor” about ideas on books as gifts for christmas. The FAZ is a newspaper with a daily run of more than 330.000 copies, available across Germany.

Journalist Martin Häußermann wrote a suitable overview on our two History books, in which we put the focus of our research on the very rare Vintage Panerai watches with documented history. It was a pleasure for us to read the review of an independent journalist on the core statements of our editorial work. [Ralf Ehlers & Volker Wiegmann]

For the fund raising project to help the people of the Philippines we offered an unique copy of our book “History1” as one of 18 prices of a raffle draw, which was announced in the public forum at www.paneristi.com.

The two german frogmen veterans Heinz Pape and Karl-Heinz Kiefer, as well as the widow of frogmen Heinz Günter Lehmann and the daughter of the commander of the italian submarine “Ambra” (transporter for SLC and frogmen commandos), Mario Arillo, signed this book in advance for a special occasion in shape of a charity project last year. After the shocking news about the typhoon Haiyan we decided to use this book to help people in need.

In only four days, 582 tickets (each worth 600 PHP / 10 EUR) came together and were donated directly to the Philippine Red Cross by the supporters of the fund raising project. A total of 349.200 PHP / 5820 EUR (plus more than 200 EUR by anonymous donators) were the result! One of the 18 lucky winners will receive this unique copy of “History1” very soon.

After the raffle draw we informed the two veterans, the widow and the daughter about the result of the fund raising project, who were glad to hear that their signatures in the book and many other contributed prizes helped the victims of the terrible typhoon Haiyan.

On behalf of Heinz Pape, Karl-Heinz Kiefer, Mrs. Lehmann and Mrs. Tartarini-Arillo we are glad to forward their greetings and thanks to all supporters!
[Ralf Ehlers & Volker Wiegmann]

Since wednesday, more than 4000 EUR have been donated to the Philippine Red Cross. Paneristi from all around the world donated to help the victims of the terrible typhoon across the Philippines. Various donators offered prizes for the raffle draw which takes progress today (sunday 4 PM CET).

Please continue supporting us with a donation directly at the Philippine Red Cross. Donations can be easily made here:
http://www.redcross.org.ph/donate

1 ) “History1” book with signatures of the veterans
2 ) Rob Box – donated by Gary Friedell
3 ) Panerai iPad leather case – donated by Hammer
4 ) PinoyRisti Shirt – donated by Kerwin
5 ) PinoyRisti Shirt – donated by Kerwin
6 ) PinoyRisti Shirt – donated by Kerwin
7 ) iPhone and iPad mini leather case – donated by Anthony
8 ) leather strap 26-27 mm / 150-90 mm size – donated by Kostas
9 ) leather strap case with SLC logo – donated by Tim
10 ) red Casio G-Shock – donated by Shella
11 ) leather strap 26-26 mm /145-85 mm – donated by Judi Tunx
12 ) Eng Tay 360 print – donated by an anonymous paneristi
13 ) custom made Ammo strap (size provided by the winner) – donated by paolo18
14 ) custom made Ammo strap (size provided by the winner) – donated by paolo18
15 ) custom made Ammo strap (size provided by the winner) – donated by paolo18
16 ) OEM new and unused Panerai Yachts Challenge woven belt – donated by Raymond
17 ) Panerai keychain – donated by Anthony Che
18 ) leather strap 24-22 mm / 145-80 mm – donated by Danny DeAngelis

Get more info at the public forum of www.paneristi.com The initial post from wednesday, please reply with your donation proof here

Every 600 PHP stands for one ticket in the raffle. The raffle draw will be held today 4 PM CET – in about four hours – so its still time to donate and win a prize!
[Ralf Ehlers & Volker Wiegmann]

Our books “History1” and “History2” have been reviewed in issue 164 (november/december) of IMM – International Military Magazine. The recension, written by one of the permanent IMM editors, introduces our both books to the readers of this magazine, which is about military decorations, military collectibles and contemporary history with a main focus on research and documentation of the 2nd world war.

The IMM magazine is available in Switzerland, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany. Enjoy reading!

The german watch portal www.watchtime.net featured the Vintage Panerai Ref. 6152/1 – “The Arillo Luminor”– with an overview about the details of the watch and the history behind its first owner, italian commander of the submarine “Ambra”, Mario Arillo (M.O.V.M.).

“The Arillo Luminor” is fully described in our book “History1″ in Chapter IV on 165 pages with 106 photos and 7 technical illustrations. Thanks to www.watchtime.net for putting a spotlight onto Panerai’s DNA. [Ralf Ehlers & Volker Wiegmann]

The german watch portal www.watchtime.net featured the Vintage Panerai Ref. 3646 / Type D – “The Kiefer Radiomir”– with an overview about the details of the watch and the history behind its first owner, german frogmen Karl-Heinz Kiefer.

“The Kiefer Radiomir” is fully described in our book “History1″ in Chapter III on 55 pages with 39 photos and 3 technical illustrations. Thanks to www.watchtime.net for putting a spotlight onto Panerai’s DNA. [Ralf Ehlers & Volker Wiegmann]