Officine Panerai

I can't say it's a beautiful watch but attracted my interest as I've never seen or heard this particular model

It is stated that the prototypes were supposed to be manufactured in 1997 but after the sale of the company, the order was not carried and the watch was not manufactured. But later it has been illegally produced..

Does anybody here know more about this particular piece?

Looking forward to hear your thoughts

Best,


Sam

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about Panerai is
a) Panerai has very complex sometimes murky history
(but that is big part of it's charm)
b) you mustn't trust everything you read in books about Panerai
(this reflects not only to Panerai books)

Best
Damjan
P.S. I'm not Panerai vintage expert but this one looks very strange to me

There was a transitional period at the end of the Pre V era, and at the moment when Cartier Vendome bought the brand ( March 1997 )

They bought the brands, and received, with the brand, the projects, and among them, the " Projetto Slytech ".

POY wrote szome very interesting thinghs about it, and if he comes by here, he will certainly share with us some of his informations, as he is one of the very few to know and to speak about what he knows.

In the Projetto Slytech, you had several watches which saw the light after March 1997.

We had the Pam 21, the Pam 36 / 40, the Submersible, for instance.

Some other watches were ordered by Panerai to a " Sous Traitant "  (in French ) and came into Panerai Vendome Hands after March '97.

So was the case of the Blackseal Slytech.

It may also be the case with the watch pictured in your post, Sam.

Best,

Nicolas.

This message has been edited by amanico on 2011-02-06 12:06:57

Yes a Luminor Sub was a plan in 1996, but never prototyped nor produced at least till 2003

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hi Sam,

these were developed and prototyped in 1996. it sports a rotating bezel and has a UNITAS 6497.

we could be reading from same source. does your book mention 5 pieces, and also the PVD 5218-218?

 

best, Horo

 

Although the watch was a plan in 1996, nothing was drawn or scheduled.  To my knowledge and my late relationship with most important members of Officine Panerai in Firenze till 2003, this watch was not produced nor prototyped, well at least till 2003. 

Sounds like this is another " success " from the usual suspects...

I already see one writing the libretto, an another one signing it.

What do we use to say?

" The world is divided in 2 parts: Those who know, and those who dig ..

Dig, Tuco, Tig. "

Best, POY.

Nicolas.

This message has been edited by amanico on 2011-02-07 03:06:35

you never knows what is/are ever produce, If u are lucky or fortunate to get the the ''List'', then u will know. Again, some said this list does not exist.

Personally , just read about it and do not ponder too much.

Regards

John

 

And I'm assuming its not produced with the authorization from Panerai?

Just curious


Best,


Sam

If you see one, may I suggest you to run away?

Best,

Nicolas.

And probably just keep it as a mystery..

Sam

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but when you say: illegally Produced ?! do you mean Fake?

 thanks for sharing

 Tony

 

 

But that's what's stated in the book

Best,

Sam

thanks Sam

Just curious about your source of information.

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Slowly but surely most of this unforgettable crew will sooner or later keep fall off the famous Garibaldi ship ;-)

This message has been edited by amanico on 2011-02-09 23:51:48

No message body This message has been edited by amanico on 2011-02-09 23:04:21

More info about 5218-206/A (not produced under Panerai Firenze or Cartier/Vendome)

In checking all my information about this watch, I can provide more info for those interested.  I can confirm that this watch was not produced nor delivered to anyone at PANERAI in Firence post or past the take over by Cartier/Vendome.

Following a special request by Commandant Franco Zavattaro (Panerai in Firenze), this particular watch was designed at the end of 1996. 'Special' because this piece was solely destined for the French Military Incursori.  This piece was designed with a very specific rotating bezel which needed and required maintenance every approx. 100 hours of use (some parts required changing).

Along with other watches 5218-209, 5218-210, 5218-218, those projects were subcontracted by Panerai in Firenze to Coro, but this specific model 5218-206/A was never produced nor handed to anyone at PANERAI in Firenze or at Cartier/Vendome.  All other models have been delivered to Cartier/Vendome and to Panerai in Firenze when specific watches were destined to highly positioned member of state (as per the signed contract between both parties)

Like I stated above, up untill 2003 I was acertain by ex-Panerai members that this piece had never been produced.

I really appreciate your answers.

Now we know that this one WAS INTENDED for military purpose.

Thanks again

cheers

Sam

I missed this post and instead asked Nico the question I'm about to ask you

Do you have any details of why the bezel would need maintenance? It doesn't appear particularly interesting (or legible)

This watch was intended and destined solely for military use.
Part of the specifications was that the rotating bezel could be locked at any given position, this to avoid any accidental mistiming.
The bezel once positioned at any required position it would lock itself making use the protecting crown lever, which therefore had two principal functions.
The developed part was made of elastomer and it needed replacement after a speculated 100 hours of use.

Also, because this piece was destined for military use, it could not have been issued in any reflective material!

I am still searching more info, if any I might keep you informed..