$61,360
“The Nijmegen Bridges Watch” Officine Panerai, “Radiomir Panerai”, case No. 1010251, Ref. 3646, first generation. Made for Italian Navy Commandos, issued to German Navy “Frogmen” circa 1943. Historically important, very fine and extremely rare, large, cushion-shaped, water-resistant, stainless steel military diver's wristwatch. Signed Rolex, three-body, polished and brushed, screwed-down case back and crown, wire lugs. Black with luminous Arabic numerals and bâton indexes. Luminous blued steel "bâton" hands. Notes Provenance: Mr. (Sergeant) Arthur Clarence Gardiner thence by decent to his niece the present owner. Literature:: 1) Record of a Reconnaissance Regiment. A history of the 43rd Reconnaissance Regiment (The Gloucestershire Regiment) 1939-1945. Forward by General Sir Ivor Thomas KBE CB DSO MC, The White Swan Press Bristol. Page 132. 2) Experiences as a Serving officer in the 43rd Reconnaissance Regiment during the 1944/45 European Campaign. 3) This Band of Brothers, Jeremy Taylor, 1947. 4) The Sphinx and Dragon, Volume 1 page 106. 5) Warriors From the Deep, Eric Michetti, Page 95 “The Nijmegen Bridges Watch” We would like to thank the “Soldiers Of Gloucestershire Museum” whose research on this watch has been invaluable in the description of its history The present lot is one of the very few Parerai from World War II with a documented provenance. The watch was “captured” at the Nijmegen bridge during the battle of Arnhem on the 29th of September 1944, and is m
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
2006-12-07
