Important Collectors’ Wristwatches an...

Hôtel Plaza Athénée - Le Trianon, Sep 28, 2005

LOT 115

So-Called ?Egyptian Commando? Officine Panerai, Firenze, "Radiomir Panerai", "8 Giorni Brevettato", No. 38, Ref. Mod. G.P.F. 2/56. Made in 1956 for the Egyptian Navy. Very rare and very large, water-resistant, 8-day going, aluminum military diver?s wristwatch with original water-repellent leather strap and a stainless steel Panerai buckle.

USD 0 - 0

Sold: USD 74,750

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. Thickness 19 mm.


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 3-5-6

Good

Poor

Slightly oxidized
Movement: 3*

Good

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

Good

HANDS Original

Notes

Radiomir 8-Day First made in a limited series of 50 examples in February 1956 for the Egyptian Navy Commandos, due to their success further batches of 30 watches each were produced for other Mediterranean navies. All of the these watches were equipped with 16''' Angelus 8-day 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.