Officine Panerai

Rolex Ref. 3646 with Error Proof radium dial. Case - Rolex Movement - Cortebert cal. 618 for Rolex Dial - Stern Fréres for Rolex Panerai did not manufacture any part of these Cali-dialed ref. 3646 (not even the dials) so it can be argued that they are Rol...  

The original strap and buckle are probably lost in time like most of them are. Since then they've been fitted with straps from multiple sources and even to this day many use modern replacements.

I was always under the assumption that Panerai welded the lugs, and with provided the Radium dials (maybe with exception to the Cali dials).

I'm thinking of selling most of my collection to get a historical 3646. Either Kampfschwimmer or California dial...we'll see...

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One will have to be very careful

or one vetted through a legit auction. The 6154 is a true grail, but for me it's too hot (radioactivity) to keep long term.

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I haven't really followed the vintage pieces in the last 5-8 years but I assume pricing is generally soft (versus the peak of 10-12 years ago). If so, perhaps good timing.

for the most sought after pieces. The ones that have come down the most are the so-called brass painted dials whose manufacture many have attributed to Arturo Junghans during the waning days of WW2.

the Rolex reference 3646, though, was exclusively produced (by Rolex) for Panerai. The "only" Panerai features were the Radium indices and the waterproofing process.

But it's a little funny how Rolex gets all the credit for this watch. They didn't make the dial, nor the movement. Of course without a water tight case you don't have a dive watch, but still... it's almost equal parts Rolex, Cortebert Stern Freres and the... 

Stern just made it for them to their specs. At this time, most brands used other companies to make their dials (and many other parts as well). Stern was one of the major dial makers. And unlike today's trend toward every brand having "in-house" movements,... 

but a necessity. After the Swatch Group, owner of the major Swiss movements making brands, applied to the Swiss government for..suspension of supply..to competitors, there's been a mad-scramble on the part of watchmakers to develop their own. The Swiss go...