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Lot 319 Rolex made for Officine Panerai Reference 3646
In the 1930s and following disappointing tests carried out on watches available at that time, the Royal Italian Navy approached Panerai with the request of designing a watch resistant to extreme conditions while at the same time keeping exact time. The prototype which Panerai submitted to the First Submarine Group Command was called "Radiomir" and passed all tests successfully.
Consequently as of 1938 until the 1950s, small series of reference 3646 watches were produced, mainly for the Italian Navy. The models were fitted with hand-wound movements and waterproof cases supplied by Rolex, the dials consisted of two discs, a lower one coated with "Radiomir" luminous substance visible through the cut out numerals in the black upper disc, enabling the easy reading in the dark or under water. The large cushion-shaped cases had a diameter of 47 mm, wire lugs and a screw-down crown.
The selection of diver's watches in this collection comprises three different versions of the celebrated reference 3646.
In the 1930s and following disappointing tests carried out on watches available at that time, the Royal Italian Navy approached Panerai with the request of designing a watch resistant to extreme conditions while at the same time keeping exact time. The prototype which Panerai submitted to the First Submarine Group Command was called "Radiomir" and passed all tests successfully.
Consequently as of 1938 until the 1950s, small series of reference 3646 watches were produced, mainly for the Italian Navy. The models were fitted with hand-wound movements and waterproof cases supplied by Rolex, the dials consisted of two discs, a lower one coated with "Radiomir" luminous substance visible through the cut out numerals in the black upper disc, enabling the easy reading in the dark or under water. The large cushion-shaped cases had a diameter of 47 mm, wire lugs and a screw-down crown.
The selection of diver's watches in this collection comprises three different versions of the celebrated reference 3646.
Rolex made for Officine Panerai. An extremely rare and large stainless steel water-resistant diver's wristwatch with early unsigned dial, probably made for German Navy's Special Forces
SIGNED RADIOMIR PANERAI AND MONTRES ROLEX S.A., REF. 3646, CASE NO. 260603, MANUFACTURED IN 1943
Closed12 November 2007
Price Realised
CHF 79,000
More Information
Specialist note
The present watch is from the so-called "no name" series with blank dial, generally reserved for the German Navy's Special Forces. It furthermore stands out by its lesser known type of leather strap and the unusual buckle, probably both precursors to the later final version.
For a detailed description and illustration of such watches see Military Timepieces by Konrad Knirim, pp. 271 - 277.
For a detailed description and illustration of such watches see Military Timepieces by Konrad Knirim, pp. 271 - 277.