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Panerai. A rare and unusual aluminium and stainless steel openface keyless lever chronograph watch with 30 minutes recorder and anti-vibration and anti-magnetic appliance

SIGNED MARE NOSTRUM, CIRCA 1935

Details

Panerai. A rare and unusual aluminium and stainless steel openface keyless lever chronograph watch with 30 minutes recorder and anti-vibration and anti-magnetic appliance
Signed Mare Nostrum, circa 1935
With nickel-finished jewelled lever movement, the white enamel dial with outer ring calibrated for 60 seconds, subsidiary dial indicating the 30 minutes register, in circular stainless steel case set within a glazed aluminium outer protective case suspended from the aluminium frame with six anti-vibration springs, the springs protecting the movement from deregulation by the vibrations of the vessel's engine and magnetic fields, chronograph activated and reset by depressing the large crown, stopped by sliding a lever in the band, dial signed
70 mm. overall diam.

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Christie's has provided a minimum price guarantee and has a direct financial interest in this lot. Christie's has financed all or a part of such interest through a third party. Such third parties generally benefit financially if a guaranteed lot is sold. See the Important Notices in the Conditions of Sale for more information.

Lot Essay

The present stop-watch is held within a spring-loaded aluminium support. It is understood that the purpose of this construction was twofold, namely to protect the mechanical movement from deregulation by the vibrations of the vessel but also from strong electro-magnetic fields adversely affecting the precision. Aluminium's inability to transmit electricity and the particular construction based on the principle of the Faraday cage represented the best possible solution available.

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