Only Online Auction
Geneva, Jan 03, 2022
LOT 294
Officine Panerai / Rolex
Ref. 3646, “type C”, military diver’s wristwatch; stainless steel
CHF 36,600 - 74,000
EUR 35,000 - 70,000 / USD 39,600 - 80,000 / HKD 308,000 - 620,000
Stainless steel, manual-winding, cushion-shaped, diver’s wristwatch, water-resistant with screwed case-back, black dial; made for the Italian market.
| Grading System | |
|---|---|
Grade: AAA |
Excellent |
Case: 3-8 |
Good Slightly scratched |
Movement: 3* |
Good Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense |
Dial: 3-6-01-05 |
Good Slightly oxidized HANDS Original HANDS Luminous material reapplied |
Brand Panerai and Rolex, Firenze and Geneva
Reference 3646, type C
Year circa 1943-1944
Movement No. unnumbered
Case No. 260 556
Material stainless steel
Bracelet brown leather strap
Buckle stainless steel buckle
Caliber 618, 16’’’ (by Rolex, Geneva)
Height 46.7 mm.
Width 46.7 mm.
Signature case and movement
Notes
Rolex / Officine Panerai, Reference 3646
According to research made by some authors, 211 examples of reference 3646 appear to have been created; their production having begun in April 1940, including “Type D” model, of which only 79 examples are known.
In order to meet the military needs of the Royal Italian Navy, which had already been supplied for several years with high precision instruments, Officine Panerai created “Radiomir”, a radium-based powder that gives luminosity to the dials of sighting instruments and devices. Reference to the name “Radiomir” is documented in the supplement to the patent fled in France on March 23, 1916.
Circa 1936, the Royal Italian Navy asked Panerai to design a watch resistant to extreme underwater conditions while respecting the exact time. The prototype (now known as “Radiomir”) was submitted to the First Submarine Group Command. A further order was made and watches were supplied to the Italian naval forces as of 1938 (Regia Marina, later becoming the Marina Militare after World War II) and later on to the German Navy (Kriegsmarine).
The reference 2533, the first prototype for the “Radiomir” was produced beginning in 1936 in extremely small numbers. The second to be produced was reference 3646, in production until the 1950’s and produced in various versions classified “Type A” to “Type G”, each bearing unique aesthetics.
Reference 3646 was made by Rolex for Panerai – between 1943 to 1944 – following strict technical requirements, notably a 47 mm. wide (for underwater legibility) cushion-shaped case with soldered curved wire lugs, screw down “onion” crown, 12-sided case-back and a “Perspex” crystal.
Bibliography
· Ehlers, Ralf, & Wiegmann, Volker, “Vintage Panerai – The References”.
· http://www.vintagepanerai.com
CONDITIONS AND INFORMATION FOR BUYERS
The purchase price payable by a buyer will be the sum of the final bid price plus the buyer’s premium, together with any applicable sales or compensating use tax. In addition to the hammer price, the buyer’s premium is payable as follows: 25% of the hammer price on each lot.Important notice – Special conditions Please look carefully at all the photos as they are an integral part of the description. Any defect not mentioned in the descriptions but visible on the photos will be considered as described and cannot lead to any claim. The dimensions are given as an indication and may slightly differ from the measures mentioned by the manufacturers especially for contemporary watches. The photos are not retouched. Colors may differ from reality. For timepieces, we guarantee neither the functioning nor the precision of the movement, nor the water-resistance of the case. In addition, please note that movements, parts of mechanisms or cases may be incomplete. The lots are sold “as is”, described to the best of our knowledge and cannot be returned. Once the online bid is placed by the bidder, it cannot be cancelled.