Panerai - WINNING ICONS – Legendary Watches of the 20th Century New York Thursday, October 26, 2017 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Panerai
    Year: 1947
    Reference No: 6152-1
    Case No: 124’530
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Manual, cal. Rolex 618, 17 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel
    Dimensions: 50mm diameter
    Literature: The present watch is prominently illustrated in Ralf Ehlers & Volker Wiegmann’s Vintage Panerai, The References - Volume II (1950s-1960s) on pages 894-901.

  • Catalogue Essay

    With their unique and attractive aesthetics driven by military requirements, vintage wristwatches by Officine Panerai most often used by naval commandos are surrounded by mystery and intrigue. The Italian brand’s history can be traced back to 1860, when it was the exclusive supplier of high-precision instruments to the Regia Marina (Royal Italian Navy) through the 1900s. Around 1936, the Royal Italian Navy approached Panerai with the request of designing a watch resistant to extreme underwater conditions able to keep precise timing. The present 6152-1 is fitted with a coveted “Luminor Marina” sandwich dial. Resulting from the Ministero Difesa Marina’s request for a more robust diver’s watch for its personnel, the Panerai references 6152 and 6152-1 were produced. Introduced in 1955, the reference 6152-1 distinguishes itself from the ref. 6152 in that its case is slightly larger and thus able to house either the Rolex caliber 618 or the Angelus cal. 240. The 6152-1 offered here features a movement manufactured and signed by Rolex. Highlighting the importance of the present reference 6152-1, it is extensively and prominently documented in the highly regarded reference tome, “Vintage Panerai – The References” by Ralf Ehlers & Volker Wiegmann, thoroughly detailed over eight pages further enhancing the desirability of this exceptional example. Accordingly, it is amongst the best preserved examples of the reference known, featuring the engraving “S.M.Z M.M. 170” on the outer case back.

  • Artist Biography

    Panerai

    Italian • 1860

    Known for its robust designs and large case sizes, Officine Panerai was established in 1860 by Giovanni Panerai in Florence, Italy. Around 1900, Giovanni's grandson Guido Panerai took over, and Panerai became the supplier to the Regia Marina — the Royal Italian Navy. After supplying the navy with high-precision instruments for a number of years, Officine Panerai created Radiomir, a radium-based powder that gives luminosity to the dials of sighting instruments and devices. By 1936, the Royal Italian Navy approached Panerai again with the request to design a watch resistant to extreme underwater conditions. The watch they created became known as the "Radiomir".

    Panerai's watches made during the early twentieth century era were comprised of cases designed and manufactured by Rolex SA, with Cortébert, a Swiss manufacturer, supplying the majority of their movements. The most recognizable designs from the firm are the Radiomir and Luminor. To date, vintage models from the first half of the 1900s, such as the reference 3646 and 6152 models, remain the most desirable among collectors.

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39

Ref. 6152-1
A very rare, oversized, and attractive stainless steel diver’s wristwatch with black dial made for the Italian Navy.

1947
Case and movement signed Rolex, dial signed Panerai, outer case back engraved ‘S.M.Z M.M. 170’
50mm diameter

Estimate
$80,000 - 160,000 
CHF77,900-156,000
€68,200-136,000
HK$625,000-1,250,000

Sold for $106,250

Contact Specialist
Paul Boutros
Head of Watches, Americas
+1 212 940 1293
pboutros@phillips.com

WINNING ICONS – Legendary Watches of the 20th Century

New York Auction 26 October 2017