November will be interesting to follow the auction at Frankfurt’s Hotel Sheraton (saturday, november 10th), where two Ref. 3646 watches will be up for sale. German auctioneer Dr. Crott will have their 86th auction with more than 500 lots, including a Ref. 3646 / Type C watch and a Ref. 3646 / Type D watch. 

We hope they find a good new home and that they remain surfaced in the Vintage Panerai collectors world. The Ref. 3646 / Type C watch and it’s history will be featured in one of the chapters of our new book “History2” (available in 2013).

In the last days our new book in 2013 has crossed the 400 page mark with the editorial work on its 5th chapter. As follow-up of “History1”, it will continue on page 421 and reach beyond 820 pages in total. So, there will be five “brand new old stories” in the next book “History2”. Editorial work is in progress… we’re diving into history.

In the meantime: enjoy reading “History1″ from page 1 to 420…
[Ralf Ehlers & Volker Wiegmann]

We lately got access to study further historic documents which were kept together with an interesting Ref. 3646 / Type C “Kampfschwimmer”.

Features of the watch:
Reference: 3646 / Type C
Dial: “Kampfschwimmer”  (sandwich, anonymous)
Case number: 1010351
Movement: Rolex Cal. 618 / Type 1

The set – Panerai watch and documents from the first owner – including letters, photos, his Kriegsmarine pay book and rare decorations from WW2 and post-WW2-aera will hopefully find a good new home at Dr. Crott during their 86th auction on november 10th, 2012.

During the research on these documents we found further info on the missions which this german frogmen took part. These informations underlined locations and sites that were mentioned from other german veterans and are featured in our latest book “History1”, e.g. the quarters of the german combat swimmers in List on Sylt  (Training Commando 700 unit) which was known as “Weisskoppel”. All together, these documents and the Ref. 3646 / Type C watch will build one more interesting chapter in our future book “History2”.

For our next book “History2” we continue our research and editorial work in these days.

The traces of a Ref. 3646 / Type D “Kampfschwimmer” watch, its first owner and his mission targets back in 1945 are in our focus. Historical photos, maps and documents, together with impressive photos of this watch makes it another interesting chapter about Vintage Panerai watches and their history.