Panerai Luminor Ref. 6152-1 sold at Phillips auction in New York on 26 October 2017

Ref. 6152-1 A very rare, oversized, and attractive stainless steel diver’s wristwatch with black dial made for the Italian Navy. Circa 1947. Case and movement signed Rolex, dial signed Panerai, outer case back engraved ‘S.M.Z M.M. 170’. 50mm ⌀

Manufacturer: Panerai
Year: 1947
Reference No: 6152-1
Case No: 124’530
Material: Stainless steel
Calibre: Manual, cal. Rolex 618, 17 jewels
Bracelet/Strap: Leather
Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel
Dimensions: 50mm diameter
Literature: The present watch is prominently illustrated in Ralf Ehlers & Volker Wiegmann’s Vintage Panerai, The References - Volume II (1950s-1960s) on pages 894-901.

Estimate
$80,000 - 160,000 
CHF77,900-156,000
€68,200-136,000
HK$625,000-1,250,000

SOLD FOR $106,250

With their unique and attractive aesthetics driven by military requirements, vintage wristwatches by Officine Panerai most often used by naval commandos are surrounded by mystery and intrigue. The Italian brand’s history can be traced back to 1860, when it was the exclusive supplier of high-precision instruments to the Regia Marina (Royal Italian Navy) through the 1900s. Around 1936, the Royal Italian Navy approached Panerai with the request of designing a watch resistant to extreme underwater conditions able to keep precise timing. The present 6152-1 is fitted with a coveted “Luminor Marina” sandwich dial. Resulting from the Ministero Difesa Marina’s request for a more robust diver’s watch for its personnel, the Panerai references 6152 and 6152-1 were produced. Introduced in 1955, the reference 6152-1 distinguishes itself from the ref. 6152 in that its case is slightly larger and thus able to house either the Rolex caliber 618 or the Angelus cal. 240. The 6152-1 offered here features a movement manufactured and signed by Rolex. Highlighting the importance of the present reference 6152-1, it is extensively and prominently documented in the highly regarded reference tome, “Vintage Panerai – The References” by Ralf Ehlers & Volker Wiegmann, thoroughly detailed over eight pages further enhancing the desirability of this exceptional example. Accordingly, it is amongst the best preserved examples of the reference known, featuring the engraving “S.M.Z M.M. 170” on the outer case back.