Close look at a “Radiomir Panerai” dial of a Vintage Panerai Ref. 6152 watch. The surface of the sandwich dial with the milled letters is showing pure Panerai DNA above the double pencil hands.

This dial version, using the famous “Radiomir” luminous material, can be found across all Vintage Panerai References: 3646, 6152, 6154, 6152/1 and GPF 2/56 and also in the prototype of the “Mare Nostrum” chronograph. The self-iluminating substance “Radiomir” was patented by Guido Panerai already in 1915, which enabled the use of instruments even in complete darkness.

Close look at the “Luminor Panerai” dial of a Ref. 6152/1 watch. The surface of the sandwich dial with the milled letters is showing pure Panerai DNA behind 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.

Tried to catch the fantastic domed shape and the reflecting edges of the huge Plexiglas on a Ref. 6152/1 together with the “Luminor Panerai” engraving on the sandwich dial… pure Panerai DNA!

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.

Recently we got the chance to take a photo of a Ref. 3646 / Type C watch, which is representing the DNA of Panerai all over by its distinguished design elements.

Features of the watch:
Reference: 3646 / Type C
Dial: “Radiomir Panerai”  (sandwich, engraved)
Case number: 10102xx
Movement: Rolex Cal. 618 / Type 1

A “clean and simple” dial, reduced to the max, fitted in a 47 mm cushion shaped case with welded loops and the “Brevet +” crown… it does not need much to create a legend, which is lasting for more than 70 years and keep collectors of these watches all around the globe so fascinated…

Returned home from my visit at the SIHH in Geneve last friday. It was great to see that Panerai continue to use their DNA in the new collection.

Aside new models without the crown protecting device (PAM 514, 515) in 47 mm, following the introduction models from last year, also models in 42 mm were introduced (PAM 512, 513). Also the new Submersible models are noteable: another bronze watch (PAM 507) – with power reserve indicator, and a ceramic version (PAM 508), both in 47 mm, are really huge pieces and will surely get a lot of friends in the Panerai collectors world.

My personal highlight was the new “Regatta Chrono” (PAM 526) in a 47 mm Luminor case, which is powered with P.9100/R movement. As Panerai is strongly linked to the world of classic yachts, a watch with perfect functionality for sailing is in my opinion a great achievement. Congratulations!

The P.9100/R automatic movement has a diameter of 31 mm, it is 9.55 mm thick, 37 jewels and made up of 328 components. It has the flyback chrono function with vertical clutch and column wheel. It has a power reserve of  3 days. The small subdial at 3 o’clock shows a complete mini Panerai dial – a very nice detail. To put on this watch was a pleasure, with 47 mm it is really a huge impressive watch, which wears excellent with the rubber strap… Like!

Another chrono found my instant attention as well: the new Luminor 1950 3 Days Chrono Flyback in 44 mm (PAM 524). Its engine, the P.9100 movement, is the first automatic movement with chronograph functions developed by Officine Panerai and its produced entirely in its Manufacture in Neuchatel / Switzerland. The movement has a diameter of 31 mm with a height of 8.15 mm, also 37 jewels and made of 302 components. Two spring barrels give it a power reserve of 72 hours. The luminous material in patina color gives it a nicely vintage touch. This watch is, as the Regatta chrono (PAM 526) above, partially polished and brushed – very fine surface treatments, excellent!

Sorry for the crappy smartphone pictures… you can find much better photos, taken by Martin Wilmsen at the paneristi.com SIHH 2013 section.
[Volker Wiegmann]

Recently we have added another yet unknown watch into our database.

Features of the watch:
Reference: 6152/1
Dial: “Radiomir Panerai” (sandwich, engraved)
Case number: 12450X
Movement: Rolex Cal. 618 / Type 4

You can read and see more about Ref. 6152/1 watches in our 2nd book “Vintage Panerai – The References”, chapter IV (page 203-255).

Some time ago I had the chance for making this photo, in the middle the Ref. 3646 / Type C watch of our good friend. I had the chance for comparing the differences between Type C and Type D cases, bezels, casebacks – aside the different dial versions: engraved “Radiomir Panerai” and the “Kampfschwimmer” version. The younger companion on the right, the Ref. 6152/1 “Luminor Panerai” is making the line-up a big load of Panerai DNA at one spot. All three of them powered with the Rolex Cal. 618.

Captured the surface of the sandwich dial on a Ref. 3646 /  Type C Vintage Panerai watch.

The milled digits and indexes on the matte black aluminium dial with a diameter of 37 mm are two of the typical features that each Panerai watch bears – from the past until today. The reduced design of the dial – only 4 numbers and 8 indexes – represents the DNA of the Panerai brand on first sight. Even from a distance, a Panerai can be spotted easily because of its “clear” face…

Captured the blue color of the steel hands on Ref. 3646 watches. Always an amazing detail on these watches: the matte black sandwich dial, the aged luminous material in a color range from honey-like orange to a deep red.

These watches carry the DNA of Panerai in many details. Each of these rare watches aged individually. It is always interesting to see how different these watches passed nearly 70 years… and they are still keeping great time!

Features of the Ref. 3646 with “Kampfschwimmer” dial:
Reference: 3646 / Type D
Dial: “Kampfschwimmer” (sandwich, anonymous)
Case number: 260554
Movement: Rolex Cal. 618 / Type 1

Features of the Ref. 3646 with “Radiomir Panerai” dial:
Reference: 3646 / Type C
Dial: “Radiomir Panerai”  (sandwich, engraved)
Case number: 1010244
Movement: Rolex Cal. 618 / Type 1

You can find more information about Ref. 3646 watches in our 2nd book “Vintage Panerai – The References” in chapter I, pages 31-159.

Tried to catch the luminous activity of the Ref. 6152/1 “Luminor Panerai” dial today. After more than 55 years, Luminor it is still reacting strong on direct light impact, creating a wonderful “greenish glow”…!

This Vintage Panerai watch is featured in our new book “History1″. You can read more about its first owner Mario Arillo in chapter IV, page 227-391.