Important Watches, Wristwatches and C...
New York, Omni Berkshire Place Hotel, Jun 20, 1998
LOT 58
Rolex Officine Panerai, "Radiomir", Firenze, Ref. 3646, 1950's. Large, cushion shaped, waterproof, stainless steel military diving wristwatch.
USD 5,500 - 6,500
C. polished, screwed back and crown, wire lugs. D. black with radiumed Arabic numerals and indexes. "Baton" radiumed hands. M. 15 1/4 "' gilt brass, "fausses cotes" decoration, 17 jewels, lever escapement, monometallic balance, antishock system, self-compensating Breguet balance-spring. Dial, case and movement signed. Dim. 47 x 51 mm.
| Grading System | |
|---|---|
Grade: AA |
Very good |
Case: 15-35 |
Slightly rusted To be restored |
Movement: 2* |
Very good Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense |
Dial: 2-51 |
Very good Partially reprinted |
Notes
Produced in circa 30 examples for the Italian Navy
Commandos, at the time of the Egyptian Raid in 1954.
The dials of all Panerai watches were made with diverse
superposed plates fitted with each other : the bottom plate was
luminous with "Radiomir" or "Luminor". The dial plate was
pierced, so that the numbers were visible through the slots.
Panerai very soon noticed that the Radiomir was slightly
radioactive, so they changed for the Luminor.