We’ve been informed by a fellow collector about an ebay auction of a Ref. 3646 / Type C watch (case number 1010222). The watch is in our database since march 2007.

Features of the watch:
Reference: 3646 / Type C
Dial: “Radiomir Panerai”  (sandwich, engraved)
Case number: 1010222
Movement: Rolex Cal. 618 / Type 1

Be careful in buying such watches at places like ebay (“buy the seller, not the watch!”)!

German auctioneer Dr. Crott features two Vintage Panerai watches in their new invitation leaflet for the upcoming 86th auction on november 10th, 2012.

The Ref. 3646 / Type D “Kampfschwimmer” (left page / 1st line) was one of the highlights of their 85th auction. In the preview for the 86th auction there is again a Ref. 3646 / Type C “Kampfschwimmer” (right page / 2nd line) in the spotlight.

For our good friend Assaf Burstein from Israel, a long hunt is finally over. We took notice that he can call himself the new happy owner of a Ref. 3646 / Type C watch with “Radiomir Panerai” dial.

The watch has one of the dials which luminous elements (markers and numbers) turned into a deep red colour. In our opinion, the reason for this was the varying composition of the Radiomir paint used in the production of smaller batches. One of the few surfaced pieces of this kind with similar dial has been introduced more than two years ago here.

Not only the front of the watch is a stunner, also the caseback bears a “nice to have” feature, which doesn’t exist often today: less than 10 pieces are known with a “Xa FLOTMAS” (a short for “Decima Flottiglia MAS”) engraving, together with a matriculation number. It underlines that this watch has been used by italian frogmen during 2nd world war. Inside the watch, the Cal. 618 / Type 1 movement from Rolex is ticking, with the typical decorations on the movement bridges, which makes it “one more” clean 3646 / Type C watch entry in our database!

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

You can read and see more about the different versions of Ref. 3646 watches in our 2nd book “Vintage Panerai – The References”. In specific, watches of the Ref. 3646 / Type C are introduced in chapter I.III (page 67 to 83)

Congratulations, Asi – we’re very happy for the “new piece” in your collection!
[Ralf Ehlers & Volker Wiegmann]

Photo courtesy / with kind permission of Geoff Hess, USA

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]

Today I had the chance to stop by at the auctioneer Dr. Crott in Mannheim/Germany. Their 84th upcoming auction features a 3646 / Type C which I wanted to see “in real” before it finds a new owner. After the nightmare experience last week when I was contacted by a collector regarding a fake 3646 “Kampfschwimmer”, it was a pleasure to see such a “raw diamond” as described below:

This “Kampfschwimmer” watch is to me what a vintage Panerai collector can dream of. It appears to be put away in a drawer for decades. It shows a lot patina and proof of wear with thousands of super fine scratches which give the case a nearly matte finish. Lovely aged – I would never put a polishing tool on it. This proof of age is something which have to be kept on this watch (hopefully) by its future owner… Put away in a drawer for decades also mean that it needs a service. I recommend the future owner to go to his “watchmaker of trust” to clean the movement and fix the crown tube.

Features of the watch:
Reference: 3646 / Type C
Dial: “Kampfschwimmer”  (sandwich, engraved)
Case number: 1010147
Movement: Rolex Cal. 618 / Type 1

Actually the crown can’t be screwed down to the case as the tube has no winding grip anymore. Known as “the #1 part to be worn off”, the onion shaped crown is always something to be sensible with. Imagine that the crown has to be used evey day and if the watch gets many wrist time (which has obviously been the case in this piece…) one day a new tube is needed.

My personal review:
The plexi: original, never polished, shows scratches and wonderful cracks inside, the rare “volcano dome” shape, lurking a bit above the bezel – just as it should be and similar on many other 3646 watches.
Dial and hands: anonymous dial, nicely aged, numbers and markers fading colors from yellow to orange, including some typical cracks inside the luminous material. Both hands appear to have the original luminous material, not broken out, complete pair. Hands show partially stain, a proof that they have never been polished and/or fixed. Nice blueish shine in different ankles…!
The case: full size Ref. 3646 body, never polished. Typical shape of 3646 / Type C watches. Lugs without damage. Patina all over, proof of “age & use” let it look matte – great!
The caseback: fantastic and rare tatoo-style engraved initals with owner’s initials “HD” and “Marine-Kampfschwimmer 1945”. A true tool watch used in WW2. The inside of the caseback shows the typical Rolex SA embossing known for 3646 / Type C watches. Reference and case number 1010147 matching our database perfectly. No surprise at all. Another piece of the puzzle added.
The Rolex movement: typical Rolex Cal. 618 / Type 1 (17 Jewels, no incabloc). A service is recommended, as the crown is not winding down onto the case to close the watch, tube has to be fixed.
Extra: the buckle part of the original leather strap is still with the watch! These buckles are hard to find alone, especially those which have not bent down. A strapmaker can make the other part in similar leather or take off the buckle from the original strap to create a complete new strap in same color and style.

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]

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

Features of the watch:
Reference: 3646 / Type C
Dial: “Kampfschwimmer” (sandwich, anonymous)
Case number: 1010168
Movement: Rolex Cal. 618 / Type 1

You can read and see more about the different versions of Ref. 3646 watches in our 2nd book “Vintage Panerai – The References”. Find the illustrations of  ref. 3646 / Type A – C casebacks here.

After the auction house Dr. Crott has provided more details to us, we were able to add the watch into our database with all important features to compare it with other existing watches of this number group.

Our database entry (click above) shows the following detials: Inner caseback signed 1010147. Rolex Cal. 618 / Type 1 movement. Anonymous “Kampfschwimmer” dial with aged numbers and markers. Steel hands. Original, nicely aged Plexiglas. Onion shaped “Brevet+” crown.

This watch will be auctioned at Auktionen Dr. H. Crott on their 84th auction on november 12th, 2011. Further details about this LOT 33090 are published at their website. You can also read and see more about the different versions of Ref. 3646 watches in our 2nd book “Vintage Panerai – The References”.

We hope it will find a good new home!

A very interesting 3646 / Type C watch will be auctioned at Auktionen Dr. H. Crott on their 84th auction in November 2011. 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. Until today 39 watches of this type are known, and only 4 of them have an anonymous “Kampfschwimmer” dial. The caseback bears a rare engraving (“Marine Kampf-Schwimmer 1945”) with the initials “HD” of the german frogmen. It comes with the original brass coated buckle and one part of the original strap.

A similar watch can be found in chapter I.III of our book “Vintage Panerai – The References”. We hope it will find a good new home!

Features of the watch:
Reference: 3646 / Type C
Dial: “Kampfschwimmer”  (sandwich, engraved)
Case number: 1010147
Movement: Rolex Cal. 618 / Type 1

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