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Officine Panerai

Sounds like they were more watches than frogmen... ;-)

 

According to past researches, between 3646 & 6152's (excluding prototypes)  the Marina Military purchased approx. 160-180 pieces.  It is known that some 80 pieces were sunk at large of 'La Spezia ' in a concrete block, this because of radioactivity issues. (if you are thinking about it, know that those waters are guarded...LOL)

In 1943 some of the watches in stock at Panerai were requisitioned by the Germans (although they had been paid by the Marina Militare).  Earlier, the Germans were given some of the 3646 as experiments 2-3 units.  It is assumed that post-1943, the German Army managed to acquire some supply directly from Rolex thus explaining 'California' and 'No-Name' Dialed pieces.

It also known that in the 1950's some odd version of the 3646 were obtained directly from 'Orologeria Svizzera' which was then the Panerai family civilian business of watches. I am not too sure how many, but seems it was around 5-10 pieces of the 3646 model case.

It is my opinion that the above number could not be increased/speculated by more than 5% either way.

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22 Comments view entire thread 

questions about vintage pams

 
By: 0808 : November 27th, 2008-08:31
does anybody know just approx. how many 3646s and 6152/4s were produced? thanks!

Many opinions,

 
By: Asimut : November 28th, 2008-08:38
I strongly believe that between the references delivered to the Italian Navy, not more than 300 watches. Cheers, Asi

thank you , asi!

 
By: 0808 : November 29th, 2008-01:06
so in total of 300, how many are 3646 and 6152? not exact numbers but approx. figures..=) what i am would like to know is which is the rarer of the two models? thanks again!

Well, among 3646, 6152 and 6154,

 
By: amanico : November 29th, 2008-00:41
6154 are the rarest. But it's very difficult to know, as Panerai didn't keep the Archives about the production of watches of this Era. Asi has some excellent connections, another guy, Y.O, also. Discussing with them both during these long winter nights, I... 

Found this hope it's clear enough...

 
By: rad.yo : November 29th, 2008-02:58
Shows 600? 3646's + special edition for German Navy perhaps 100-150 units. Anyone thoughts on these numbers? Best...  

as I mentioned, many opinions - but

 
By: Asimut : November 29th, 2008-04:26
I am holding mine, 300. This is based from discussions with people from the MM and applying some logic too (like reviewing serial numbers). Some people would like to say there are more, for obvious reasons. Nuff said. Cheers. Asi

Vintage PAM Query

 
By: jaise : November 29th, 2008-21:35
hi everyone.=) can anyone enlighten me on the reference number of the PAM in page 19 of the 2008 catalogue? it's a destro luminor case, with device protecting the crown, with "radiomir" written on the dial. i've been trying to google it but can't find it.... 

Yes, the reference is 6152/1

 
By: Asimut : November 30th, 2008-00:51
and it's from the 1950's. It is one of 3 known Panerai 'destro' vintage models, the other two being the famous 'Marina Militare' dial one purchased by Panerai Museum in 2005, and the third is again the same reference but without a crown-guard. Here is a p...  

questions regarding dials

 
By: 0808 : November 30th, 2008-05:16
hi asi, few more questions of the vintage topic...=) so only radium is used in the radiomir dials and tritium used in the luminors, correct? most importantly, is it a health hazard to wear these radioactive watches? what about the cali dials then? what ki... 

I think around 1000 til 1200 vintage panerai where made

 
By: bas.nl : November 30th, 2008-13:41
+/- 600 3646 where made, and I think the made them in 2 or 3 different batches. The first badge has the number beginning with 10094** (that is from end of 1939/1940  and ended whit 10095** The radiomir I own has a 10095** number , it is from 1940, it ... 

Hi Bas, question is how many were received by the Italian

 
By: Asimut : November 30th, 2008-21:40
Navy (not counting the prototypes and Egyptian models). Best regards to FF. Asi

Sounds like they were more watches than frogmen... ;-)

 
By: PoyFR : December 1st, 2008-02:19
According to past researches, between 3646 & 6152's (excluding prototypes) the Marina Military purchased approx. 160-180 pieces. It is known that some 80 pieces were sunk at large of 'La Spezia ' in a concrete block, this because of radioactivity issues. ... 

Thanks for these infos, Poy. Fr,

 
By: amanico : December 1st, 2008-02:51
That's exactly what I expceted from you...It reminds me our long and passionate discussions on this topic. I totally agree with you, there are more watches on the market than Frogmen at war... A Paradox? Not at all. We are only the keeprs of these watches... 

sounds scary,,,=(

 
By: 0808 : December 1st, 2008-21:47
hi nicolas, after reading all the comments, i can truly understand why you choose not to have any vintage pams in your collection... a purchase of vintage pam without proper knowledge can indeed turn out to be a very costly lesson...

And even with a proper knowledge, this is risky

 
By: amanico : December 1st, 2008-23:02
As some Vintage are made from authentic spare parts... If you really want one, the golden rule is vital: " Buy The Seller ". Best! Nicolas

More than the seller, THE ORIGIN & The Knowledge!

 
By: PoyFR : December 2nd, 2008-00:37
A very good friend of mine, 'AB', recently was offered a Vintage piece; he did not know what to think of it… to help trace the origin which was claimed to be in the family for over 25 years, he simply asked... I only need to see one photo of any member of...