$74,750
“Pre-Patent Marina Militare” Officine Panerai, “Marina Militare” Ref 6154. Made in 1953. Very rare, large, cushion-shaped, water-resistant, 8-day going, stainless steel military diver’s wristwatch with original water-repellent leather band and buckle. Signed Rolex, three-body, polished and brushed, straight lugs, winding-crown with security lever. D Two plate; Black upper plate with pierced Arabic numerals and indexes over a luminous-coated lower plate, subsidiary seconds at 9. Radium-coated "bâton" hands. Notes Pre Patent This watch is amongst the earliest examples of a Panerai watch with the Officine Panerai security lever on the winding crown. This device was patented in Italy as No. 344027 on the 21st of November 1956 (see lot 114 for the patent extract) however as shown by the “1950”released as a limited edition in 2002 this device was used much earlier by the company. The “Pre-Patent” watches are exceptionally rare and the fact that this watch utilizes the eight-day going Angelus movement three years before the “Egyptian Commando” adds to its rarity.
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
2005-09-28
