Beside watches from the Vintage, Pre-Vendome and Richemont era, some historical tools and instruments from Officine Panerai will be auctioned by Artcurial in Paris on monday, december 8th. A rare example of a Vintage Panerai depth gauge, aimed to 50 meters, with Radiomir dial and the typical white hand (depht gauges with Luminor come with a transparent hand), is listed as LOT 18 at “Panerai only” (Artcurial sale #2527).

The stainless steel case is matte grey coated, sized 70 x 90 mm. Historical Panerai instruments (screwed lugs) use the same 26 mm leather straps as those who were mounted on watches, treated for seawater use. The length of the strap was long enough to wear the depth gauge over the diving suit. The underside of the instrument is ergonomically shaped and has a brushed surface. It is fixed with 6 screws onto the upper part of the case, same as compasses are constructed. The huge dome (different versions between 24 mm and 27 mm exists) is made of Plexiglas.

By taking a close look at the dial of this instrument, one can see that it is made in the same “sandwich method” than the dials of the Vintage Panerai watches. The dial of this depht gauge has markers of 2.5 meter steps from surface to 20 meters, and 5 meter steps from 20 to 50 meters (maximum depth).

An overview of seven different aimed depth gauges (using Radiomir or Luminor luminous material) can be found here.

[Photos with kindly permission / courtesy of www.artcurial.com]

Artcurial will auction a rare GPF 2/56 “Egiziano Grosso” with “Radiomir Panerai” dial during their “Panerai only” auction in cooperation with Officine Panerai. The auction with the title “Celebration of a watchmaking legend” will take progress in Paris on december, 8th.

This particular “Egiziano Grosso” bears the matriculation number 007 on the inside of the caseback, which is screwed onto the body by six screws. The “engine” of this watch with a case size of 60 mm and rotating bezel, the famous Angelus Cal. SF 240 eight-days-movement, is equipped with the Incastar shock protection. The Angelus movement can be clearly identified on the face of the huge watch by its small second function with a subdial at 9 o’clock. Hour and minute hand are shaped in the “single pencil” style, which is also typical for Vintage Panerai watches with Angelus movement.

The sandwich dial bears the “8 GIORNI BREVETTATO” symbol on the right side at 3 o’clock. This engraved symbol is an unique feature in the range of Vintage Panerai watches, and can be found only in this particular reference, which was produced by Officine Panerai for the Egyptian Navy.

Features of the watch:
Reference: GPF 2/56
Dial: “Radiomir Panerai” (sandwich, engraved)
Case number: 007
Movement: Angelus Cal. 240 SF (8 days)

About Artcurial – Founded in 2002, Artcurial confirmed its position as the leading French auction house in 2013 with 123 sales organized across 20 specialist departments. With a strong international bias, Artcurial maintains its presence abroad with offices in Milan and Brussels, and travelling exhibitions in the United States and Asia.

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

[Photos with kindly permission / courtesy of www.artcurial.com]