Lot 73

Panerai

Radiomir

A remarkable, navy diver’s watch from the German Navy. 104 watches of this "Type D" model are known to exist to date

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This watch has been family-owned for decades and was never offered at auction before.
It features the flat bezel that is typical of the Officine Panerai "Radiomir" reference 3646 with brass dial.
The inner caseback bears the usual Rolex SA hallmark as well as the reference and case numbers known for 3646 / Type D watches. Sadly, the outer caseback of the watch shows no personal engraving referring to the original owner; a handwritten note from his son, however, indicates that his father finished his navy diver training at the Junker School in Bad Tölz, "Lehrkommando 702" (training group 702).
Watches of the Reference 3646 / Type D are featured in the book "Vintage Panerai - The References 1930's-1940's" by Ralf Ehlers & Volker Wiegmann in chapter II.IV (page 398-531) including a historic photo of a "Kampfschwimmer" wearing a 3646 with brass dial on page 475. In this part of the book, an overview of different decorative polish on the inside of the caseback (Type A –Type G) can be found on page 486.
With the kind support of Ralf Ehlers & Volker Wiegmann, www.vintagepanerai.com, the highly recommended website for vintage Panerai watches.

Radiomir Panerai
Because of the 1914 invention of the luminous material "Radiomir" - a mix of zinc sulfide and radium bromide - the Panerai dials could be read well at night and in deep water. Panerai made use of this advantage in his watches and was commissioned to produce the first diver's wristwatches, called "Radiomir". The first prototypes were still produced at Rolex, the later watches and their cases were produced at Panerai according to Oyster standards. In 1936 the Panerai Radiomir became a part of the secret naval equipment.
Source: "Armbanduhren Klassik Katalog", Koenigswinter 2005, page 146.