Officine Panerai - About The Tight Seal Device, better known as the Protecting Crown Device

About The Tight Seal Device, better known as the Protecting Crown Device

The Patent application for The Tight Seal Device was deposited Nov 30, 1955.

At Panerai in Firenze, based on designs, sketches, and internal documents, many believe that the adoption of this device was made in the first half of the 40s, during the Second World War. It is not understood why the patent of this clever and effective device was deposited only ten years later.

Around 1999 whilst tirelessly searching for parts and info, I bought a 6152-1 (RADIOMIR PANERAI Dial, Rolex Cal. 618). I clearly remember that the retired highly ranked Italian Marine officer I purchased this watch from told me his watch was from 1947

Based on many conversations on this subject with the people at Panerai in Firenze and my personal experience , I am still personally convinced that the ‘Protecting crown device’ was first used in the 40’s, this despite many current searches and others conclusions,

Quote from a book The Panerai in Firenze (150 years of Panerai history) by Col. Dino Zei
'Remains to understand why the patent of a device so clever and effective was filed only ten years later.'

Here below the Patent.

‘Like me, you also here read ‘in some previous patents of the same applicants there have been disclosed some devices designed to provide similar seal…’

The Tight Seal Device of Maria & Giuseppe Panerai

This message has been edited by AnthonyTsai on 2009-06-26 21:27:22

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Man, you're on fire! :)

By: amanico : June 26th, 2009-00:00

Interesting point, POY. The thing is, but you know it better than anyone else ( at the exception of the old Panerai Team, of course ), that things are always complicated with Panerai, and that as it was a secret defense, and as Panerai lost a lot of ( if ...

Why on fire? The roots and its history is gigantic

By: PoyFR : June 26th, 2009-01:02

You are right, a lot of unknown is also due that it was once only a military secret. But, a lot of documents were not authorized to be made public, and many other documents are stored, unsorted and or scattered at Piazza Galileo Ferraris, well at least ti...

Nicely said, POY, and thanks again for all these informations

By: amanico : June 26th, 2009-02:58

Sadly, it seems that the Knoweldge chain is a bit broken... Best, Nicolas

Tight Seal Device: The Patent

By: PoyFR : June 26th, 2009-00:43

(Those 2 pages failed to upload earlier, it would be nice if a kind moderator would add them to the head post, thanks in advance) The Tight Seal Device of Maria & Giuseppe Panerai...

Date of registereing a patent is 1 thing; date of actually using it the other thing

By: happyguy1688 : June 26th, 2009-04:30

the logic seem to be since it is military secret, there's no need to patent it-by registering a patent, you have to reveal yr secrets. cf formula of Coca cola. I don't think Northcorp will patent their stealth bomber design.

Concerning Northcorp, they seem to own a huge amount of Patents

By: PoyFR : June 26th, 2009-04:57

Design and the how to is one thing, but Northcorp patented every technical aspect that is in relation to their developments.

I wish I could see a picture

By: Asimut : June 26th, 2009-20:59

of a CG that predates mid 50's. The 6152-1 serial number (124XXX) puts these watches (according to Rolex Geneva, if asked on an individual watch) in 1954-5. It may well be that the CG was developed at an earlier stage and that post war financials/prioriti...

Asi, we must continue our researches on this subject

By: PoyFR : June 27th, 2009-00:53

At the end of a book 'Rolex' written in 1988 by Georges Gordon, the author shows pictures and sketches (the type that can only come from one source) of original watches with watch-case and references, he dates the 6152-1 (with the tight seal device) back ...

From Lira to Dollars, does 10 or 15 years make a difference?

By: PoyFR : June 27th, 2009-01:15

Oh Yes it does, This article published in 1994 says: Panerai of the 40's , made for the Italian 'incursori' of the Marina Militare sold for 4 100.000 lira I... well I am sure, WE at times wish to have been at the right place, at the right time, or rewind ...

Just for the pleasure of being able to afford a superb Vintage piece, YES, POY!

By: amanico : June 27th, 2009-01:55

I don't trust the 'Auction House Experts', even those houses

By: Asimut : June 27th, 2009-06:11

that have no vested interest. I think these experts do not make a real effort to be accurate in their description. You brought a piece from 1994 - here is one 10 years earlier, 1984. Of course saying a watch is from WWII is more attractive than saying a p...

LOL, Asi. Excellent!

By: amanico : June 27th, 2009-06:16

Sad, but true. Best, Nicolas, a vintage guy.

Well, if Asi trust you, he will end up in Rome (LOL), Sad but True! LOL [nt]

By: PoyFR : June 27th, 2009-09:27

No message body

Well, someone at Sotheby's had a real vision

By: PoyFR : June 27th, 2009-09:22

Did you read...? 'Limited Edition' ;-) you may not trust them, but someone had a crystal ball ;-) I know what you are saying, those experts aren't like us ;-) however in general a few were described and dated, specially those in the 80's, even if we doubt...

thanks for the info ::)))

By: MiniCooper : June 28th, 2009-16:24