$59,800
So-called "Rolex Panerai" Officine Panerai, No. 1009551, Ref. 3646, first generation. Made in 1940. Very fine and extremely rare, large, cushion-shaped, water-resistant, stainless steel military diver's wristwatch with Panerai buckle. Signed Oyster Watch Co, three-body, polished and brushed, screwed-down case back and crown, wire lugs. Black with radium-coated mixed Arabic, Roman, bâton and triangular indexes. Radium-coated blued steel "bâton" hands. Notes The History of Officine Panerai, Florence. IIn 1860, in Florence, Giovanni Panerai (1825-1897) set up a small workshop for precision mechanical instruments on the "Ponte alle Grazie". By 1870, the company had become an official supplier to the Royal Italian Navy. Giovanni’s successor Guido Panerai (1873-1934) continued to develop high-precision instruments. Named "Orologeria Svizzera" in the early 1900s, the company sold Rolex and Patek Philippe watches while also delivering optical and mechanical precision instruments to the Defense Ministry. Developing the business and extending the line of military products, the company continued as "Officine Panerai". Special products included luminous firing and aiming devices. Maria and Giuseppe continued their father's retail business while strengthening their position as suppliers to the Italian Navy. In 1935 the first wrist-worn depth gauges and compasses were developed, and in 1936/38, a "Radiomir" watch prototype was produced. 1943 saw the birth of the "Mare
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
2005-09-28
