Officine Panerai

I wanted to isolate POY's answer at Samrotandi's original post, to make it clear, and as it is a very interesting information.

Here is the original post:

panerai.watchprosite.com

Here is POY's answer:

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.

Thanks Sam and POY, for this great topic.

Best,

Nicolas.

Don't think that anything like that could happen today the way brands are managed.  Do brands ever subcontract out small series that they don't want to handle inhouse?

Best regards,

 

George

It is interesting to know hidden stories behind the preV watches.

Now it is also interesting to know that the 206/a was designed for military purpose.
While the others are solely for civilan watch.

Thanks

best,

Sam

without posting  a comment...I have been blown away by Poys knowledge in the past and I am glad that we NOT only have such expertise on this forum but also the kind that is being shared..Many txs...Best regards guillermo

I will save this post a bit later, but along with the Blackseal Slytech, these are ref posts fo perpetual knoweldge.

I don't know how many people in the Panerai world have such a knowledge.

Best, my friend.

Nicolas;

I am struggling to think what could require changing. Any clues, Nico?

No message body

...just makes me more interested! (Not that I think the bezel on this is anything special...the usual Submersible bezel makes much more sense for a Panerai)

POY, can you chime in?

thanks Nicolas for clarifying that.

 but such a PAIN to keep this Watch up and Running .!!!

 frequent Maintenance, Service, Change Parts ???!!! WOW. who needs that.??  no wonder why it never went to production.!!

 

 Cheers

 Tony

Did you mean 100 hours of turning the bezel?  Or 100 hours of the watch running?

Cheers,
Anthony

No message body