Lot 24
An important and unique platinum wristwatch with historical movement and presentation box, with proceeds going to the Intergovernmental...
Sold
CHF355,600
Est CHF60,000 - CHF180,000
Live Auction
THE GENEVA WATCH AUCTION: XVIII
ARTIST
Panerai
Size
47mm Diameter
Description
...Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO
LOT OFFERED WITH NO RESERVE

Year: 2023
Reference No: PAM01346
Movement No: signed "juin.61"
Case No: OP7535; BB2104810
Model Name: Radiomir Guido Panerai & Figlio
Material: Platinum
Calibre: Manual, cal. SF240
Bracelet/Strap: Panerai leather strap
Clasp/Buckle: 18K white gold Panerai pin buckle
Accessories: Accompanied by Panerai Certificate of Origin, additional case backs, additional strap, and Radica wood presentation box.

Founded in Florence in 1860, Officine Panerai has specialized since its very beginning in the production of horological and maritime high precision instruments. In the early 19th century Panerai created Radiomir, a luminous-based powder (patented on March 23rd, 1916) that allowed its wearer to tell the time in any weather condition by glowing in the dark, with its very first prototype produced in 1936. Over the years its legacy evolved thanks to its iconic watches that blend distinctive design elements with exceptional craftsmanship. The brand's signature characteristics include bold cushion-shaped cases, oversized numerals, and markers for enhanced legibility. First unveiled in the forties, whilst being the supplier of precision instruments for the Italian Navy, the Panerai reference 3646 witnessed first-hand the tumultuous geo-political changes that were occurring in the greater part of Europe. Modified to feature elements that would come to define the Panerai aesthetics of today, the reference 3646 is considered today one of the most iconic models from the brand. Inspired by perfection, Giuseppe Panerai would go on to create his own luminous material based on tritium and named it Luminor. Around the same year, the brand started to collaborate with the Egyptian Army, a cooperation that would later give birth to "The Egiziano" (Egyptian in Italian) "2/56" – meaning it was most probably the second project from 1956. The “Egiziano” was made alive thanks to a modified version of the Angelus SF 240 calibre made by Stolz Freres in Le Locle, Switzerland. The manual-wound Angelus SF 240 boasted an incredible power reserve of 8-days, a decisive improvement from the early Rolex and Cortebert calibers which when fully wound would only last 36 hours. The model was also fitted with an avant-garde transparent case back and Tight Seal Device, an ingenious invention patented the year before. To present the new Luminor model with its upgraded movement, Giuseppe Panerai used a small batch of 3646’s that survived the liberation of Florence in 1944 and delivered them to the COMSUBIN (Comando Raggrupamento Subaquei e Incursori Teseo Tesei), the Italian commando frogman unit. Modified solid lugs were welded on the old 3646’s cases and to make clearance for the new Angelus movement Panerai specifically developed a higher bezel and conical shaped display caseback. These “Transitional” 3646’s where supposedly never intended as diving equipment since their waterproofness could not be guaranteed due to the conical open caseback. The elements found on those transitional models would later define the aesthetics of the Luminor we know today. Panerai had a few early Angelus SF240 movements in its stock and decided to use an example from June 1961 to create a one-of-a-kind Radiomir, named Guido Panerai & Figlio in honor of the first model produced in the original Panerai Laboratory. More than just a simple homage to the original, the present piece unique timepiece firmly merges innovation with historical Italian DNA. Cased at 47mm in diameter, the timepiece is crafted from Platinumtech, a harder and scratch resistant material exclusively created by Panerai. The key features found on this special edition watch include solid welded lugs, sandwich dial, gold-color hands, and domed sapphire crystal. The characteristics found in the Guido Panerai & Figlio are directly inspired by the form and aesthetics of the transitional model reference 3646. The timepiece comes with a made-in-Italy calf strap and an additional Cuoierie Meccaniche Brelli strap, the original leather strap maker for Officine Panerai. This one-of-a-kind Radiomir is further presented in a historically inspired Radica wood exterior and black Alcantara interior presentation box. A unique opportunity to acquire a historically significant and impressive piece-unique timepiece. All the proceeds of the sale including Buyer's Premium will be donated to the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC). The IOC promotes international cooperation in marine sciences to improve management of the ocean, coasts and marine resources. The IOC enables its 150 Member States to work together by coordinating programmes in capacity development, ocean observations and services, ocean science, tsunami warning and ocean literacy.

Signature
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed