In the 20th anniversary issue of “Chronos”, a german watch magazine, remarkable auction results are featured in a report on page 122-125. Beside watches from Patek Philippe, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Rolex, Vacheron Constantin and Audemars Piguet, a Vintage Panerai Ref. 3646 / Type D  “Kampfschwimmer” is lined up with its hammer price (incl. buyers premium) sold at the 85th auction of Dr. Crott.

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During my visit of Mr. Kiefer, featured in chapter III of our new book “History1”, we were speaking about the interview I had with him more than a half year ago. We came back to his instructor, Bernhard Dornsiepen, which watch was auctioned in april 2012 at Dr. Crott and soon later found a good new home half around the globe.

Mr. Kiefer showed me an old photo album which he collected photos, which were taken during veteran meetings after the war in the 1970’s and 1980’s at the island of Sylt, where Mr. Kiefer and his former comrads had been exercised to become “Kampfschwimmers” of the german navy. From time to time they returned tho the place of their training during war time, but this time – many years later – in times of peace and together with their families as a “reunion”.

On a few photos in the album, Bernhard Dornsiepen was visible, so it was the first time – accidential – that there was an image of him aside “just” his initals on the caseback of the watch… It is always nice to put a face behind a name!

A few months ago, only the watch was known. The initials on the caseback let us find the first owner, with the help of another veteran. Another few months later, a photo has been found, adding more “personal touch” on this vintage treasure.
[Volker Wiegmann]

Six months after I visited the german “Kampfschwimmer” veteran for an interview, it was time to deliver him a copy of our new book “History1” – keeping a promise that I made back in december 2011.

Both, Mr. Kiefer and his kind wife Irma, welcomed me at their home in good health and so I was able to forwarded greetings from my co-author Ralf Ehlers to both of them. After reading “his” chapter, I took this photo of him – a smile says more than many words… which was without a doubt a priceless moment.

Karl-Heinz Kiefer is featured in chapter III of our new book “History1”. A preview of “his” chapter can be found here.

Auf ein Wiedersehen, Herr Kiefer – bleiben Sie noch lange so fit!
[Volker Wiegmann]

Today I had the chance to see another yet unknown Ref. 3646 / Type C “Kampfschwimmer” watch surfacing into the Vintage Panerai world. Auctioneer Dr. Crott kindly informed me that they just had a new arrival for their upcoming 86th auction which will be held in november 2012.

In its actual conditions, this watch is in my opinion a “raw diamond”. It is untouched, stored away for decades which let it appear today in its original conditions. It needs doubtless a cure at a good watchmaker with a heart for historic treasures – he can bring back the power and functionality on this fantastic piece for the future years.  However, the watch was running during my observation. As many other watches too, it has the tubular shaped “Oyster Patent” crown instead of the onion shaped “Brevet +” crown.

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

The original strap has not “survived” but we know this has happened on most of the sewn-onto-the-case straps of Ref. 3646. It should be easy for the new owner to find a strap to his personal taste, so there are many options for this kind of  “personalization” for the future owner.

Once again, this “new surfaced” Ref. 3646 watch is matching our Type C criteria in all details, rising the number of Ref. 3646 / Type C database entries close to 50 watches…! In relationship with the 7 digit case number (the watch is inbetween the number group 1010091 – 1010374) is the Rolex SA embossing on the inner caseback, which is a typical feature of Ref. 3646 / Type C watches. Matching with the inner caseback engravings is the Cal. 618 / Type 1 movement from Rolex with its typical engravings on the center bridge. The outer caseback bears no engraving. The steel hands have kept their blueish color and the luminous material is still nearly complete!

You can also read and see more about the different versions of Ref. 3646 watches in our 2nd book “Vintage Panerai – The References”. [Volker Wiegmann]

A very interesting 3646 / Type D watch will be auctioned at Auktionen Dr. H. Crott on their 85th auction on may 12th, 2012. The watch is matching in all details with our database.

Features of the watch:
Reference: 3646 / Type D
Dial: “Kampfschwimmer”  (sandwich, engraved)
Case number: 260437
Movement: Rolex Cal. 618 / Type 1

The caseback bears a rare engraving (“Marine Kampf-Schwimmer 1945″) with the initials “BD” of the german frogmen instructor Bernhard Dornsiepen. He has been mentioned by veteran Karl-Heinz Kiefer during an interview, which was held in december 2011, of which extracts will be published in our new book “History1″. He mentioned Dornsiepen as one of the instructors at Lehrkommando 700 (“Weisskoppel”) for indoor training several times and underlined his diving skills.

Similar watches can be found in chapter I.IV of our book “Vintage Panerai – The References”. We hope it will find a good new home!

Tried to catch a nice movement view of a Vintage Panerai “Kampfschwimmer” watch. The Rolex Cal. 618 / Type 1 used in Ref. 3646 watches are doubtless a part of the Panerai DNA. Strong machines, which still can keep perfect time after many years of use…

A few more photos of the Ref. 3646 / Type D watch, which will be auctioned in may 2012 in Frankfurt/Germany.

During a visit at the department of the Auctioneer Dr. Crott I was able to take a close look at the details of the watch. The original plexi “volcano dome” looks just stunning. The watch has the original onion shaped Rolex crown with “Brevet +” signature. The winding of the crown onto the tube is still possible but could be improved during a service by the future owner.

The case of the watch shows a very nice aging. It has not been polished and bears a lot of super fine scratches and hairlines, giving the case an unique matte finish, which appears as a beautiful mixture between polished and brushed steel.

Remarkable is also the original strap which is still on the watch. Used in seawater caused an obvious “shrinking process” over the past decades, this strap is still attractive from a collectors’ point of view – even if the watch can’t be worn with this strap anymore. It would be too dangerous to damage it. Knowing that this watch came as it was for many years, there is of course the chance to find a new leather strap in “historic look” so that the watch can be worn.

Auctoneer Dr. Crott provided some photos of the watch, which will be used for their catalogue of the 85th auction on may 12th 2012 in Frankfurt/Germany.

The view onto the caseback shows a wonderful and also rare “Kampfschwimmer” engraving, individualized for the owner of the watch, Bernhard Dornsiepen (initials “BD”). Dornsiepen was in service 1944 and became later an instructor for the indoor training of the “Kampfschwimmer”. The indoor training was exercised at the “Weisskoppel”, home base of the german “Kampfschwimmer” units (Lehrkommando 700) on the island of Sylt in northern Germany from november/december 1944 until the end of the 2nd world war.

Instructor Bernhard Dornsiepen has been mentioned by veteran Karl-Heinz Kiefer during an interview, which was held in december 2011, of which extracts will be published in our new book “Vintage Panerai – Watches with History” / “history1”. He mentioned Dornsiepen as one of the instructors for indoor training several times and underlined his diving skills.

[Photo courtesy of Auktionen Dr. H. Crott / S. Pflaesterer]

Auctoneer Dr. Crott provided some photos of the watch, which will be used for their catalogue of the 85th auction on may 12th 2012 in Frankfurt/Germany.

The front view shows the anonymous “Kampfschwimmer” sandwich dial and the blueish steel hands with their original luminous material. Cracks on the plexi are a nice “proof of age” of a probably “volcano dome” shaped plexi. Also the aged numbers and markers of the dial in different colors (from yellow to light orange / amber) are a typical feature of 3646 / Type D watches.

[Photo courtesy of Auktionen Dr. H. Crott / S. Pflaesterer]