Production of reference 6152-1 began by Rolex around 1954. The examples fitted with a crown guard started being supplied to military forces around 1959 and very few examples were supplied to the Italian Navy featuring the SMZ engraving on the caseback such as this example. Equipped with the Rolex caliber 618 and featuring the number 10 on the crown guard, an important example of a Rolex/Panerai military dive watch.

Unknown to the market, this 6152-1 is part of the only 73 examples known of this reference with a Rolex movement and crown guards and only 21 of these known so far were equipped with a Marina Militare dial. Only 36 examples in total are known with an SMZ engraving on the caseback over the four different variations of the 6152-1.

One can notice as well that the main bridge has been changed at some point as it corresponds to ones found on the earlier reference 3646 (it has the inscription 17 Rubis/Fab Suisse rather than just 17 rubis and does not have the rubis on the center of the bridge.

We would like to especially thank Mr Ehlers and Wiegmann for their assistance in researching this piece. For similar examples please see, “The References” 1950’s-1960’s in chapter VIII.II on page 922-1027