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]

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 into the opened back side of the watch shows a typical Rolex 618 / Type 1 movement.

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

A very interesting 3646 / Type D watch will be auctioned at Auktionen Dr. H. Crott on their 85th auction on may 12th, 2012. Further details of the auction and this LOT will be published at their website soon.

The watch is matching in all details with our database. The caseback bears a rare engraving (“Marine Kampf-Schwimmer 1945″) with the initials “BD” of the german frogmen.

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!

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

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

Cleaning up my Ref. 6152/1 for the next photo session of our book “Vintage Panerai – Watches with History”. Took off the strap, removed dust and dirt on the case, between the lugs and along the crown protecting device, checking its Rolex Cal. 618 / Type 4 movement. Put back the original strap with G.P.F. Mod. Dep. buckle… Ready.

[Volker Wiegmann]

Recently we added another Ref. 3646 / Type D watch into our database.

It’s caseback number fits perfectly into the number group of today existing Type D watches, aside the fact that all other features of this “Kampfschwimmer” are matching our database too. Another important “piece of the puzzle” is added.

Features of the watch:
Reference: 3646 / Type D
Dial: “Kampfschwimmer” (sandwich, anonymous)
Case number: 260693
Movement: Rolex Cal. 618 / Type 1

You can read more about Ref. 3646 / Type D watches in our book “Vintage Panerai – The References” (chapter I.IV, page 85-121).  

The veteran’s family found our website and contacted us via e-mail, provided some informations which are very useful for us to compare with already known watches. It’s great to see that these “war birds” are still surfacing after many years.