Tag: “California Dial”
A yet unknown 3646 / Type E watch surfaced
by Volker on Sep.12, 2011, under General
Recently we added another Ref. 3646 / Type E watch into our database.
The caseback number is inside the number group of today existing Type E watches. Another “piece of the puzzle” is added – our database is permanently growing.
Features of the watch:
Reference: 3646 / Type E
Dial: “California Dial”
Case number: 260889
Movement: Rolex Cal. 618 / Type 1 mod.
Typical features of Ref. 3646 / Type E watches are the removed / not existing Rolex stamp in the inner caseback and the Rolex Cal. 618 / Type 1 mod. movement. Also the “California Dial” is corresponding well with the flat bezel of the watch – a typical combination of dial version and bezel. A Panerai dial with its sandwich construction would need a higher bezel due to its height (the photo on page 156 in our 2nd book “Vintage Panerai – The References” explains this).
You can read more about 3646 / Type E watches in our 2nd book “Vintage Panerai – The References” (chapter I.V, page 122-131)
Rolex Cal. 618 dial side view
by Volker on Jul.02, 2011, under General
A look at the dial side of the Rolex Cal. 618 / Type 1 mod. movement and the underside of a “California Dial” with hour wheel. Photo taken from our 2nd book “Vintage Panerai – The References”, chapter I.VII.
“California Dial” with patina
by Volker on Jun.27, 2011, under General
A close view of a 3646 / Type G “California Dial” Panerai, showing a lot patina.
Features of the watch:
Reference: 3646 / Type G
Dial: “California Dial” (roman and arabic numbers)
Case number: 317496
Movement: Rolex Cal. 618 / Type 1 mod.
You can read more about this watch in our 1st book “Vintage Panerai – Watches with History” in chapter I.I and also in our 2nd book “Vintage Panerai – The References” in chapter I.VII.
3646 / Type E watch on auction
by Volker on Mai.11, 2011, under General
A Vintage Panerai Ref. 3646 / Type E will be auctioned at Sotheby’s.
The inner caseback embossing is corresponding with the movement version of the Rolex Cal. 618 / Type 1 mod., typical for a 3646 / Type E watch – hopefully this “California Dial” will find a good new home on may 15th…
“California Dial” – part of the Panerai DNA
by Volker on Okt.23, 2010, under General
It’s simple. It’s clean. It’s perfect. The Panerai DNA is still striking after 60+ years…! The photo shows a Ref. 3646 / Type G watch with Oyster crown and the typical flat bezel (1944).
Read more about the “California Dial” watches – the DNA of Panerai - in both of our books. [Volker Wiegmann]
Stolen: 3646 “California Dial”
by autor on Mrz.03, 2010, under Watch Point
Omeris Arpesella, veteran of the italian “Gruppo Gamma”, is still missing his 3646 “California Dial” with engraved caseback. The watch was stolen in 2005 at his home and never surfaced until yet.
To keep collectors aware, we publish the individually engraved caseback of the watch, which our dear friend Omeris owned and used during his service in the 1940’s.
Please note that the photos were taken in 2004, shortly before the watch was serviced. The weared off crown has been changed with a NOS onion shaped Rolex crown and also the corrosived steel hands were changed with NOS brass “double pencil” hands.
What makes this watch unique and easys to identify, is its engraved caseback. Potential buyers should be aware of this detail if such a watch will ever hit the market or is being offered.
The file has been published in the public forum at www.paneristi.com back in 2005 during the V Club Panerai Meeting in Viareggio/Italy. More than 70 Panerai collectors immedately contributed a brand new Panerai watch (PAM210) for Omeris as a gesture of their sympathy.
One year later in may 2006, it was the honor of some of the initiators to handover a memorial plate at the naval museum “Arsenale” in La Spezia to Omeris. It shows all names of the supporting Panerai collectors from all around the world, who are still in hope that one day Omeris gets his “California Dial” back…