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Lot Essay
US$19,500-32,000
With Panerai presentation box, outer packaging, certificates and product literature.
Known popularly as the 'California Dial' with its half-Arabic and half-Roman numerals, this present watch finds its design roots in the 1930s when it appeared on Rolex Bubblebacks. The dial was then used in Panerai's reference 3646, which was fitted with a Rolex Calibre 618 and produced from 1938 until the 1950s. These watches were later equipped with Panerai's signature Radiomir dials, comprising two discs with cut-out indices on the upper black layer. It is believed that a small group of these predecessor California Dial ref. 3646 watches were intended to be presented to WWII high ranking Navy officials. However, likely due to the turmoil of the war, the ceremony never took place and the watches were rediscovered only decades later. In 2006, a remake of this reference 3646, in the form of the Radiomir 1936 PAM00249 was produced. With its age tinged luminous indices and hands, unique dial and same dimensions as the vintage originals, this contemporary series bears testimony to the rich history of Panerai.
With Panerai presentation box, outer packaging, certificates and product literature.
Known popularly as the 'California Dial' with its half-Arabic and half-Roman numerals, this present watch finds its design roots in the 1930s when it appeared on Rolex Bubblebacks. The dial was then used in Panerai's reference 3646, which was fitted with a Rolex Calibre 618 and produced from 1938 until the 1950s. These watches were later equipped with Panerai's signature Radiomir dials, comprising two discs with cut-out indices on the upper black layer. It is believed that a small group of these predecessor California Dial ref. 3646 watches were intended to be presented to WWII high ranking Navy officials. However, likely due to the turmoil of the war, the ceremony never took place and the watches were rediscovered only decades later. In 2006, a remake of this reference 3646, in the form of the Radiomir 1936 PAM00249 was produced. With its age tinged luminous indices and hands, unique dial and same dimensions as the vintage originals, this contemporary series bears testimony to the rich history of Panerai.