223Σ
Panerai
Ref. 3646
A fine and very rare stainless steel military divers wristwatch
- Estimate
- HK$400,000 - 600,000
HK$775,000
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- Panerai
- Year
- Circa 1936
- Reference No
- 3646
- Case No
- 260'563
- Material
- Stainless steel
- Calibre
- Mechanical, 618, 17 jewels
- Bracelet/Strap
- Brown military leather strap
- Dimensions
- 47 mm. wide
- Signed
- <em>Case, dial and movement signed</em>
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
Some say that reference 3646 is the ‘holy grail’ reference of Panerai watches. While the ‘3646’ may not be the very first Radiomir model in existence, the Italian Navy and their combat swimmers mostly used this reference in their line of work. Our research suggests that Panerai only produced 600 examples of this reference. The large dial and self-luminous hands allowed soldiers to clearly read their watch under any weather condition.
The case number, 260'605, was assigned by Rolex, who also supplied the movement and provided parts to Panerai at that time.
This reference 3646 is a watch with enormous character and is in very appealing, crisp original condition.
The case number, 260'605, was assigned by Rolex, who also supplied the movement and provided parts to Panerai at that time.
This reference 3646 is a watch with enormous character and is in very appealing, crisp original condition.
Literature
Panerai
Italian | 1860Known 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.
Browse MakerPanerai'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.