Compass, watch and depth gauge made by Guido Panerai & Figlio: a “Trittico”. Huge and impressive instruments worn on the wrist. Compasses, watches of the Ref. 6152/1 and depth gauges are featured in several versions (with “Radiomir” and “Luminor” luminous material) in the chapters VIII.II, XI.I and XI.II of the second volume of our book “The References”.

Chapter VIII.II is about the watches of the Ref. 6152/1 with crown-protecting device and Rolex movement and holds information about nine different models (page 922 to 1057) with “Marina Militare”, “Radiomir Panerai” and “Luminor Panerai” dials (as shown in the photo). Chapter XI.I is about compasses from Guido Panerai & Figlio. Five different models are featured from page 1320 to 1333. Three with “Radiomir”, two with “Luminor” dials. Chapter XI.II is featuring depth gauges. Ten different models are featured from page 1334 to 1367. Six with “Radiomir” dials, aimed to 7, 30, 35 (2 versions: adjustable and non-adjustable dial), 50 and 60 meters. Four with “Luminor” dials, aimed to 7, 15, 16, 30 and 40 meters. Last but not least, chapter XII gives an overview of the straps and buckles used on watches and instruments from Guido Panerai & Figlio in this era.

Information on “The References” 1950’s-1960’s can be found here.

Spotted! The historic photo on the left shows two members of the Col. Moschin (Special Forces of the Italian Army / 9º Battaglione Paracadutisti d’Assalto “Col Moschin”). A depth gauge from Guido Panerai & Figlio can be clearly seen on the wrist of the right incursore, holding diving equipment in his left hand.

Compasses and depth gauges made by Guido Panerai & Figlio are featured in several versions (with “Radiomir” and “Luminor” luminous material) in chapter XI of the second volume of our book “The References”. Chapter XI.I is featuring compasses from Guido Panerai & Figlio. Five different models are featured from page 1320 to 1333. Three with “Radiomir”, two with “Luminor”. Chapter XI.II is featuring depth gauges from Guido Panerai & Figlio, similiar to the instrument which can be seen in the photo. Ten different models are featured from page 1334 to 1367. Six with “Radiomir”, aimed to 7, 30, 35 (2 versions: adjustable and non-adjustable dial), 50 and 60 meters. Four with “Luminor”, aimed to 7, 15, 16, 30 and 40 meters.  

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

Featured in our new book Vintage Panerai “The References” 2nd edition (2016) on page 1328-1329 in chapter XI.I of the second volume: a Luminor compass. case 70 x 90 mm, 26 mm leather strap and brushed stainless steel GPF buckle. Made by Guido Panerai & Figlio for the Italian navy commandos of the COMSUBIN in the 1950’s and 1960’s.

Read more on Vintage Panerai instruments worn on the wrist in chapter XI (page 1314-1367).

Compasses and depth gauges made by Guido Panerai & Figlio: huge and impressive instruments worn on the wrist – featured in several versions (with “Radiomir” and “Luminor” luminous material) in chapter XI of the second volume of our book “The References”.

Chapter XI.I is featuring compasses from Guido Panerai & Figlio. Five different models are featured from page 1320 to 1333. Three with “Radiomir”, two with “Luminor”. The coffee table shot shows an example with “Luminor” luminous material on page 1328-1329, next to a pair of Vintage Panerai instruments (compass and depth gauge).

Chapter XI.II is featuring depth gauges from Guido Panerai & Figlio. Ten different models are featured from page 1334 to 1367. Six with “Radiomir”, aimed to 7, 30, 35 (2 versions: adjustable and non-adjustable dial), 50 and 60 meters. Four with “Luminor”, aimed to 7, 15, 16, 30 and 40 meters. The coffee table shot shows page 1354-1355, featuring the 7 meter depth gauge with “Luminor” luminous material and transparent hand, on which a Vintage Panerai depth gauge for 16 meters is placed. 

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

Featured in our new book Vintage Panerai “The References” 2nd edition (2016) on page 1346-1347 in chapter XI.II / second volume: a Radiomir depth gauge for 50 metres. case 70 x 90 mm, 26 mm leather strap and brushed stainless steel GPF buckle. Made by Guido Panerai & Figlio for the Italian navy commandos of the COMSUBIN in the 1950’s and 1960’s.

Read more on Vintage Panerai instruments worn on the wrist in chapter XI (page 1314-1367).

Another Vintage Panerai instrument is up for sale at Artcurial’s “Panerai only” auction in Paris. LOT 54 presents a “Luminor Panerai” depth gauge, aimed to 40 meters. The dial of this depht gauge, made in the same “sandwich style” as dials for watches, shows markers of 2.5 meter steps up to 40 meters (maximum depth). The meter hand is made of transparent Plexiglas, which has a chamber in its tip, holding the luminous material to point out the actual depth. The luminous material on hands, numbers, markers and dots is still reacting very quickly and bright when a light source is beamed onto the numbers and markers.

An overview of seven different aimed depth gauges (using Radiomir or Luminor luminous material) can be found here.

Click on the link to see the video of a pressure test on a “Luminor Panerai” 16 meter depth gauge: Vintage_Panerai_Depth_Gauge. Click on the link to see the pressure release – “the surfacing” in this video: Vintage_Panerai_depth_gauge_surfacing

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

Beside watches from the Vintage, Pre-Vendome and Richemont era, some historical tools and instruments from Officine Panerai will be auctioned by Artcurial in Paris on monday, december 8th. A rare example of a Vintage Panerai depth gauge, aimed to 50 meters, with Radiomir dial and the typical white hand (depht gauges with Luminor come with a transparent hand), is listed as LOT 18 at “Panerai only” (Artcurial sale #2527).

The stainless steel case is matte grey coated, sized 70 x 90 mm. Historical Panerai instruments (screwed lugs) use the same 26 mm leather straps as those who were mounted on watches, treated for seawater use. The length of the strap was long enough to wear the depth gauge over the diving suit. The underside of the instrument is ergonomically shaped and has a brushed surface. It is fixed with 6 screws onto the upper part of the case, same as compasses are constructed. The huge dome (different versions between 24 mm and 27 mm exists) is made of Plexiglas.

By taking a close look at the dial of this instrument, one can see that it is made in the same “sandwich method” than the dials of the Vintage Panerai watches. The dial of this depht gauge has markers of 2.5 meter steps from surface to 20 meters, and 5 meter steps from 20 to 50 meters (maximum depth).

An overview of seven different aimed depth gauges (using Radiomir or Luminor luminous material) can be found here.

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

Still working… a vintage “Luminor Panerai” depht gauge, calibrated for 16 meters, has been tested successfully for its functionality inside a pressure chamber. Due to the limited space, the GPF strap has been removed before the instrument was placed in the center of the pressure chamber.

The membrane on the bottom of the 70 x 90 mm case worked instantly after pressure was added. Interesting to note that the Panerai instrument is working properly since it was used for the last time underwater decades ago.

Click on the link to see the video of the pressure test: Vintage_Panerai_Depth_Gauge.

Click on the link to see the pressure release – “the surfacing” in this video: Vintage_Panerai_depth_gauge_surfacing

An interesting Vintage Panerai collectible surfaced lately: a “green light” instrument, powered with “ELUX” from Officine Panerai, in mint condition.

This electrical signal light device was probably used on a ship or submarine and can be mounted with two screws on the backside of the case onto a wall or other surface. It is painted in the typical navy grey color as used on other instruments and tools we know from Officine Panerai.

Detail views of a 16 meter depth gauge. The meter hand on the left ofthe photo is made of transparent Plexiglas, which has a chamber in its tip, holding the luminous material to point out the actual depth. Gauges with Radiomir usually have a white Plexiglas hand.

By taking a close look at the dial of this instrument, one can see that it is made in the same “sandwich method” than the dials of the Vintage Panerai watches (example: “Luminor Panerai” dial of a Ref. 6152/1) can be compared here.

The center of the dial bears “Luminor Panerai” and below “Metri” is engraved. You can find more details of the tool’s dial here. The luminous material on hands, numbers, markers and dots is still reacting very quickly and bright when a light source is beamed onto the numbers and markers.

An overview of seven different aimed depth gauges (Radiomir and Luminor) can be found here.