The answer is more simple than you think

in 2002 (E series) Panerai introduced an upgraded movement for the historic line of manual winds. It was still based on the ETA 6497, but had redesigned bridges, a swan-neck regulator and increased power reserve (56h instead of 41h). In 2005 (H series) there was another redesign of the bridge decoration to the much nicer CTG of today. The 249 and the 232 saw the current movement used in all the historic line (with the exception of the introduction level PAM zero and 5 that have the old pre-E movement behind the solid caseback and also the new PAM 26 SE introduced this year).

In the 1930'-50's where the Rolex base caliber (618) was used in Panerai, the swan neck would have been too expensive for these military watches. There were very nice variations of the Rolex movement used in fine pocket watches that had regulators.

Hope it helps,

Asi

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249 questions

By: 0808 : May 29th, 2008-19:39

Hi All, I was wondering why did Panerai fit the 249 with a swan's neck fine adjustor? Is it more commonly done with watches that have the second's hands? Does the 232 also have the same swan's neck fitted? What's the reason behind it? Thanks!!!

And I thought you were asking 249 questions...LOL

By: amanico : May 29th, 2008-21:06

Yep , swan neck in all the 249...And if I'm not wrong, the 232 shares the same movement, so, swan nake for it too! No particular reason for that, my friend. Best. Nicolas Who wants a swan nake?...

is it really necessary?

By: 0808 : May 29th, 2008-21:49

Swans neck

By: Exupery : May 29th, 2008-22:31

The regulator on a watch is a device that can change the rate that the watch will run. It is normally found above the balance wheel, often on top of the balance cock. By moving the regulator toward the "fast" , the watch will run quicker and will either g...

thank you, exupery

By: 0808 : May 29th, 2008-23:08

Hi Exupery, Thanks for the detailed explanation of the swan's neck function! I know that it matters not whether if the watch has a second's function or not, the point of the regulator is to make the watch more accurate when finely-tuned. It's just that wh...

Hi Asi When you write about a re-design of bridge decoration in 2005, you mean Geneva stripes instead of the "Panerai" pattern? Dje

Exactly.

By: Asimut : May 30th, 2008-12:12

CTG was a typo, I meant CDG. Asi

Thanks Asi! nt

By: Dje : May 30th, 2008-12:26

thank you,Asi!!!

By: 0808 : May 31st, 2008-00:36

btw, what is CDG? Thanks again...=)

CDG = Côtes de Genève

By: Asimut : May 31st, 2008-05:12

or Geneva bars/stripes. "A decoration of undulating lines, like waves, frequently used to embellish superior quality movements." (from the HH glossary) Asi

And I thought CDG was for " Charles De Gaulle " Airport ( in Paris )...LOL [nt]

By: amanico : May 31st, 2008-05:30

No message body

does that mean you pick me up next time?

By: Asimut : May 31st, 2008-07:56

I heard you offer that service now?

Of course, my friend! LOL [nt]

By: amanico : May 31st, 2008-08:11

Another question, Asi...

By: 0808 : May 31st, 2008-00:39

So from your experience with vintage Panerais. there has been "none" (be in prototype or production) vintage 3656/ 6152 that were ever fitted with the swan neck regulator? Or, has there? Thanks for your help!!!

none that I know of

By: Asimut : May 31st, 2008-05:07

or ever seen. All the vintage references used one of 2 movements: Rolex cal. 618 or Angelus cal. 240. The Rolex movement had 3 variations (15 jewel, 17 jewel and 17 jewel Incabloc) none of which had a swan-neck. Same goes for the Angelus. Hope it helps As...

Agree with you, Asi! [nt]

By: amanico : May 31st, 2008-05:28

is this the cal.618?

By: 0808 : June 1st, 2008-08:02

Hi Asi, Is it the Rolex- Cortebert 618 in the picture? When I compared it closely to other pictures in the forum, it seems that the gap between the bridges is rather wide in the one in the picture then the other 618 that I have seen in pictures. Help plea...

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