The second volume of our new book “The References” 1950’s-1960’s starts with chapter VI, featuring one of the rarest Vintage Panerai models: The Reference 6152.

Since a second serial number sequence was discovered after the first edition of “The References” was published in the year 2009, we have separated this reference in the new edition in two chapters: VI.I (6152 / Type A) and VI.II (6152 / Type B) from page 720 to 781.

Three of these rare Ref. 6152 watches are featured with photos and technical illustrations to show the differences in construction compared to the earlier references, which we have published in the first volume of “The References” 1930’s-1940’s.

The coffee table shot above shows page 744-745 of chapter VI.I, a 6152 / Type A with “Radiomir Panerai” dial. The second coffee table shot (left) shows a technical illustration of another Ref. 6152 / Type A on page 759.

Information on “The References” 1930’s-1940’s (first volume) can be found here.
Information on “The References” 1950’s-1960’s (second volume) can be found here.

Our new “The References” books can be ordered only in our bookstore.
Learn how to order in our FAQ section.

Enjoy reading!
[Ralf Ehlers & Volker Wiegmann]

The GPF 2/56 features several unique features among all models produced by Guido Panerai & Figlio. The huge case with the rotating bezel was entirely produced by the company from Firenze, using Angelus movements to reach a power reserve of eight days. This was expressed by the use of the unique “8 Giorni Brevettato” symbol, engraved at 3 o’clock on the “Radiomir Panerai” and “Luminor Panerai” dials (both of these dial versions were used in watches of this reference).

The number of GPF 2/56 watches registered in our database has more than tripled since 2009 when we published “The References” for the first time. Read in chapter IX about the different versions of this reference (page 1058-1161). Chapter IX is dedicated to the GPF 2/56, in which five of these rare watches are featured. Aside the technical information of these legendary watches we have added historic information. The military background includes rare historic photos and four mission reports provided directly to us by an Egypt frogmen veteran (page 1064-1071).

The coffee table shot shows page 1155-1156 of chapter IX.II, a GPF 2/56 with grey coated case and “Luminor Panerai” dial. Information on “The References” 1950’s-1960’s (second volume) can be found here.

Our new “The References” books can be ordered only in our bookstore.
Learn how to order in our FAQ section.

Enjoy reading!
[Ralf Ehlers & Volker Wiegmann]

Auction House Eppli (Stuttgart/Germany) features a Ref. 3646 / Type D with anonymous, painted brass dial in their auction on April 2nd.

The 3646 / Type D is recorded in our database since February 2016. The watch features a typical Rolex 618 / Type 1 movement (Type 1 = 17 Rubis without Incabloc shock protection).

Watches of the Reference 3646 / Type D are featured in our new “The References” 1930’s-1940’s in chapter II.IV (page 398-531) including a historic photo of a German “Kampfschwimmer” wearing a 3646 with brass dial on page 475.

A similar watch with painted brass dial is featured in our book “History1” in chapter III together with information about the first owner, a German “Kampfschwimmer”.

We hope that also this watch will find a good new home and remains surfaced in the Vintage Panerai collectors world. [Ralf Ehlers & Volker Wiegmann]

[Photo courtesy of Auktionshaus Eppli e.K.]

Vintage Panerai watches with Angelus movements are featured in the second volumes of our new “The References” books in chapter IX (GPF 2/56, page 1058-1121) and chapter X (page 1162-1313) with the Modified Reference 3646, Transitional 3646, Modified Reference 6152/1 with Rolex crown and the Modified Reference 6152/1 with crown-protecting device).

The coffee table shot shows page 1244-1245 of chapter X.III, a 6152/1 with Rolex crown, display caseback and “Fourliner” dial. Information on “The References” 1950’s-1960’s (second volume) can be found here.

Our new “The References” books can be ordered only in our bookstore.
Learn how to order in our FAQ section.

Enjoy reading!
[Ralf Ehlers & Volker Wiegmann]

During our research for our new “The References” books we came across several rare historic photos taken during the Second World War.

Chapter II.IV (Reference 3646 / Type D) in the first volume (1930’s-1940’s) features a very interesting photo of a group of German “Kampfschwimmer” units at their training base in the Venice lagoon, taken in the summer of 1944 (page 514-515). On several wrists of these frogmen, Panerai watches can be clearly spotted.

Enjoy reading! Our new “The Reference” books are in stock and can be ordered only in our bookstore.

The first volume of “The References” features watches of the Reference 3646 from seven different number groups, which we have sorted since 2009 into 3646 / Type A to 3646 / Type G. Some of the featured watches appear in untouched, unpolished and unrestored condition which are very interesting to discover after more than 70 years of their use during WW2.

The coffee table shot shows the Rolex 618 / Type 1 movement of a 3646 / Type B watch with riveted plastic dial (“Radiomir Panerai”) and engraved caseback on page 230-231 in chapter II.II (first volume).

Enjoy reading! Our new “The Reference” books are in stock and can be ordered only in our bookstore.

Our new “The References” books are in stock. Both volumes (2 x 696 pages) can be shipped immediately now.

Yesterday, as promised, all completed pre-orders from 19 February to 3 March 2016 have been sent out from our office with DHL in the first shipping wave. A tracking information from DHL has been sent via email to our customers to follow the delivery schedule.

Both volumes – 1930’s-1940’s and 1950’s-1960’s – feature first-hand information and several, yet unreleased photos of Italian, German and Egypt frogmen. The coffee table shot shows two book sets in their green canvas slipcases with black embossed spine. In front of the two book sets, page 1064-1065 of chapter IX (second volume / 1950’s-1960’s) is featuring a photo of an Egypt frogmen in the 1960’s, wearing a “Trittico” of Guido Panerai & Figlio watches and instruments (GPF 2/56, depth gauge and compass).

Information on “The References” 1930’s-1940’s (first volume) can be found here.
Information on “The References” 1950’s-1960’s (second volume) can be found here.

Our new “The References” books can be ordered only in our bookstore.
Learn how to order in our FAQ section.

Enjoy reading!
[Ralf Ehlers & Volker Wiegmann]

… features of the Vintage Panerai 6154. Watches of the reference 6154 are featured in chapter VII of our new “The References” books and part of the second volume (1950’s-1960’s). The photo shows a typical brown faded “Radiomir Panerai” dial with many fissures in the numbers and markers (page 848-849).

Enjoy reading! Our new “The Reference” books are in stock and can be ordered only in our bookstore.

…and carrier of the brand’s DNA until today and in the future.

Watches of the reference 6152/1 are featured in four of the twelve chapters of our new “The References” books and part of the second volume (1950’s-1960’s). The 6152/1 watches with Rolex movements are featured in chapter VIII.I and VIII.II, 6152/1 watches with Angelus movements are featured in chapter X.III and X.IV.

The photo shows a 6152/1 with Rolex movement, “Luminor Panerai” dial and crown-protecting device (chapter VIII.II, page 962-963). Enjoy reading! Our new “The Reference” books are available only in our bookstore.

Our new “The References” books feature five watches of famous italian WW2 veterans. They wrote naval history with their SLC and frogmen missions in the mediterranean sea, which are linked to the history of these legendary watches. Both volumes – 1392 pages – are available only in our bookstore.

The photo shows page 354-355 / chapter II.III of the first volume (1930’s-1940’s / 696 pages) featuring watches of the Reference 3646 / Type C.

Enjoy reading!