A late version of a 16 meter depth gauge made by Panerai. The diameter of the case is 70 mm with a height of 45 mm. The lower part of the case is made of black plastic, the upper part is made of black rubber.

Tried to catch some interesting details and design elements of the case of a Luminor depth gauge, which is aimed to 16 meters. On the backside of the depth gauge is a matriculation number engraved (“Matr. No 189″). The membrane (diameter: 23 mm) is placed in the center of the case, surrounded by the company signatures “Officine Panerai · Firenze”. Some types of instruments bear a Panerai reference number (e.g. “Mod. GPF 4/55″, as engraved on a compass caseback) instead of a matriculation number. Other types are totally unsigned without any engravings on their casebacks – a variety of different decorations exists. Some of these unsigned cases bear a matriculation number on the leather strap (hand written).

The stainless steel case is matte grey coated, sized 70 x 90 mm. The instruments use the same 26 mm leather straps as those who were mounted on watches (screwed lugs), specially treated for seawater use. The length of the strap meant that the swimmer was able to wear the gauge over his diving suit. The underside of the instrument is ergonomically shaped and has a brushed surface. It is fixed with 6 screws onto the upper part of the case, same as compasses are constructed. The huge dome (26,5 mm) is made of Plexiglas. The depth gauge has a total height of 43 mm with a weight of nearly 400 gramms.

The meter hand is made of transparent Plexiglas, which has a chamber in its tip, holding the luminous material to point out the actual depth. Gauges with Radiomir usually have a white Plexiglas hand. You can see a group of  Radiomir and Luminor depth gauges here. The center of the dial bears “Luminor Panerai” and below “Metri” is engraved. You can find more details of the tool’s dial here. The luminous material on hands, numbers, markers and dots is still reacting very quickly and bright when a light source is beamed onto the numbers and markers.

More informations about this Panerai instrument can be found in chapter III of our 1st book “Vintage Panerai – Watches with History”.

“ELUX” Panerai inclinometer for tanks, made in 1971. Brevettato No 846567 / october 1968). Powered by two 1.5 V batteries in a separate steel case (with engraved matriculation number), connected with a cable to the device, which can be positioned longitudinally and transversally, rotating 90°.

The case of the inclinometer measures 145 x 55 mm, hinged to the fixing plate to be screwed onto the tank with four screws. Delivered in a grey cardboard box (21 x 21 x 7.5 cm).

A load of Vintage Panerai instruments with “Luminor” and “Radiomir” substance; 10 depth gauges aimed for various depths and 13 compasses produced from the 1940s to the 1980s.

Especially rare are the two small compasses, which have been used in World War 2 (left corner of the photo) by german and italian frogmen. Further details about these two rare instruments can be found here [Italian frogmen's compass] and [German frogmen's compass].

[photo by Ralf Ehlers]

Two “Elux Panerai” signal devices for underwater use in their cardboard storing boxes. Creating red or green light, both devices are battery powered.

Large device (red “Elux” light patch = 5 x 10 cm):
Battery pack 18 x 8 cm, 4 x 1.5 V mono batteries.
on/off switch as known from the underwater torches.

Small device (green “Elux” light patch = 2.5 x 5 cm):
Battery pack 21 x 3 cm, 2 x 1.5 V AA mignon batteries.
on/off switch behind a rubber membrane.

[photos by Ralf Ehlers]

Color signal extension (rotating head, made of aluminium) with four colors (red, orange, green and white/clear), mounted on a “VIDOR” torch (made in Britain), which is equipped with Panerai patented mechanism, signed “Brevet IT 563039″.

[photo by Ralf Ehlers]

“Seven in one strike” - a collection of different Officine Panerai depth gauges, gray coated 70×90 mm cases.

7 meters (Radiomir)
15 meters (Luminor)
30 meters (Radiomir)
35 meters (Radiomir)
40 meters (Luminor)
50 meters (Radiomir)
60 meters (Radiomir)

[photo by Ralf Ehlers]

Officine Panerai produced various versions of high precision lathes in the middle of the last century. These tools are a great proof of precision and quality level of the Officine Panerai company, being able to create high precision tools for mechanical workshops in different types.

“Tornio Panerai – Mod. G.P.2 per orologeria” 

Diametro foro dell’ albero (spindle drill) 8mm
Lunghezza bancale (bench lenght) 300 mm
Distanza punta (pointing length) 150mm
Altezza punte (pointing height) 40mm

[photo by Ralf Ehlers]

The ”Tornio Panerai – Mod. G.P.2 per orologeria” is featured in the “Torni Panerai – Catalogo N. 20″ on page 11 (dated march, 1963).

Officine Panerai signal torch, creating three different light colors by a rotating head (white, green and red light) with external device to turn on and off (fixed or flashing light; patented in the 1950’s).

Dimensions of the signal torch:
length 23 cm / calibre 5.8 cm (head), 3 cm (rear/grip)
powered by 1 x 3Volt Superplus battery

[photo by Ralf Ehlers]

Comparing the different sizes of two Panerai torches for divers. Waterproof, rubber coated case with external device to turn on and off (fixed or flashing light; patented in the 1950’s).

Dimensions of the large torch (rare):
length 28 cm / calibre 7.5 cm (front), 4.5 cm (grip)
powered by 3 x 1.5 Volt mono batteries

Dimensions of the small torch:
length 16,5 cm / calibre 6 cm (front), 3 cm (rear/grip)
powered by 1 x 3Volt Superplus battery

[photo by Ralf Ehlers]