Important Collector's Wristwatches, P...

Grand Havana Room, May 26, 2004

LOT 87

Officine Panerai,"Radiomir Panerai","8 Giorni Brevettato". Produced in 1956. Very rare and very large, water-resistant, 8-day going, aluminum, military diving wristwatch with original water-repellent leather strap and a stainless steel Panerai buckle.

USD 20,000 - 25,000

EUR 16,800 - 21,000

Sold: USD 39,100

C. Three-body, brushed, revolving and graduated bezel, concave lugs, case back with 6 screws. D. Black with radium-coated Arabic numerals and indexes, subsidiary seconds dial at 9. Radium-coated "bâton" hands.M. Cal. Angelus 10.48, rhodium-plated, 15 jewels, straight line lever escapement, monometallic balance, blued steel Breguet balance-spring.Dial, case and movement signed.Diam. 60 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AA

Very good
Case: 2

Very good
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3 - 01

Notes

Radiomir 8-day A limited series of 50 examples was produced in February 1956 for the Egyptian Navy Commandos. All of the Officine Panerai watches were equipped with 16''' Rolex or Angelus movements (recognizable by the subsidiary seconds dial at 9) and were guaranteed to be water-resistant down to 20 atmospheres. The security lever on the crown not only offered increased protection, but also allowed the watch to be wound under water. This lot is remarkable not only for its security lever but also for its 8-day movement, which allowed divers to operate under water longer than with any other diving watch. Of the 50 pieces delivered to the Egyptian Navy Commandos, some were still in use by Egyptian military forces until the 1980s.