6152 1 at Sotheby’s

Sotheby’s in London is about to auction a 1955 Ref. 6152 1 with 8mm Rolex big crown on the 8th of March, 2016. The estimated price is £ 70.000 – 90.000 (GBP).

Lot sold for £ 112.500 (GBP, Hammer Price with Buyer’s Premium)

> Panerai 6152 1, Sotheby’s Lot 139

“A VERY RARE AND IMPORTANT LARGE STAINLESS STEEL CUSHION DIVER’S WRISTWATCH WITH TROPICAL SANDWICH DIAL REF 6152/1 CASE 124607 RADIOMIR CIRCA 1955”

 

Dial and hands

The dial has a very nicely faded “tropical” color, very similar to Ref. 6154 dials. Only few 6152 1 are known with such dials. There is a big gap between dial and rehaut (inner bezel), due to the fact that this Radiomir dial is thinner than usual. Ref. 6152 1 was probably designed to take a sandwich dial with a maximum height of a 2.6 mm.

The hands have uncommonly aged luminous material, turned to a very dark color. It is interesting to see that the cannon pinion bears a similar color. The pointy tips of the hands appear to be brighter than the rest.

Panerai 6152 1, case number 124607
Panerai 6152 1, case number 124607 (Image: Sotheby’s)

 

The case

Certain areas of the case appear to have been brushed. It becomes especially visible in the zoomed areas between the lugs.

Panerai 6152 1, case number 124607 between the lugs at 6
Panerai 6152 1, case number 124607 between the lugs at 6 (Image: Sotheby’s)

 

Panerai 6152 1, case number 124607, reference number between the lugs at number at 12
Panerai 6152 1, case number 124607, reference number between the lugs at number at 12 (Image: Sotheby’s)

 

The movement

The movement is a typical Rolex 618 Type 4 with 17 Jewels, monometallic Glucydur balance wheel, Incabloc shock protection and a Breguet overcoil hairspring. Glucydur is an alloy made of beryllium, copper and iron with a low coefficient of thermal expansion. The name Incabloc is derived from the french word “Incassable” which means unbreakable.

Not much to say about this movement. It appears to be original but might need cleaning respectively a full service. Ratchet and crown wheel look like they have been sanded, probably for cosmetic reasons in order to get rid of accumulated rust. The polished cap for the escapement wheel is quite scratched.

Panerai 6152 1, case number 124607, Rolex 618 Type 4
Panerai 6152 1, case number 124607, Rolex 618 Type 4 (Image: Sotheby’s)

 

Summary

Overall a nice watch with original Rolex Type 4 movement and desirable 8mm big crown. Unfortunately the case has been partially brushed. The dial is the most attractive feature of this watch. The hands have been manipulated in my opinion. This kind of dark color is very uncommon.

 

Thanks for your interest.

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