Can anyone identify this watch? I'm stumped!

[Rolesor]

Hello all. It's been a while since I posted last. Long story short I met with the son of a collector who has had these watches passed to him. Some really cool pieces. Patel, vacheron, zenith and Tons of Rolex including one I have never seen before! It looks like a Paneri? Can anyone advise what this thing is? I have no reason to believe it's not real as the rest of the collection was 100% solid. The back was a clear case back and had Rolex written all over it.

Can anyone give me info or I.D it for me? I have my eye on another piece but my friend wants that one if it checks out and the price is right.

Only thing to add is the collector lives in Hong Kong and the watch is definitely older. Thanks in advance guys!

[Angry-Gardener]

Ha. Well, more pics would help. No expert here but Panerai's history is that back in the day cases were made by Rolex. There is mythology around Rolex sample watches with Panerai style cases.

First guess would be this some form of "homage" or maybe some long gone watch maker's creation. It will be interesting to see where this thread goes if experts chime in.

There are lots of stories of vintage Panerai watches coming up for auction that at some point in their history a watchmaker has swapped dials, hands etc. Sometimes legit history, other times to deceive.


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[cornerstore]

Originally Posted by Rolesor

Hello all. It's been a while since I posted last. Long story short I met with the son of a collector who has had these watches passed to him. Some really cool pieces. Patel, vacheron, zenith and Tons of Rolex including one I have never seen before! It looks like a Paneri? Can anyone advise what this thing is? I have no reason to believe it's not real as the rest of the collection was 100% solid. The back was a clear case back and had Rolex written all over it.

Can anyone give me info or I.D it for me? I have my eye on another piece but my friend wants that one if it checks out and the price is right.

Only thing to add is the collector lives in Hong Kong and the watch is definitely older. Thanks in advance guys!

You should look at this. A good starting point.
http://paneraiworld.blogspot.ca/2013...-language.html

[Rolesor]

Originally Posted by cornerstore

You should look at this. A good starting point.
http://paneraiworld.blogspot.ca/2013...-language.html

Thanks I actually already came across that link but none of the pictures matched the watch I saw today. I'll read through it more thoroughly though and see if there's anything in there that helps me!

[cornerstore]

Originally Posted by Rolesor

Thanks I actually already came across that link but none of the pictures matched the watch I saw today. I'll read through it more thoroughly though and see if there's anything in there that helps me!

If you think it's real you might think about contacting the author of the article. You never know it could be a prototype or a one off.

[77T]

There may be a good reason for it, but the crown looks like it came from a 3636 but the case is more like a later 6152. And Rolex may have been added to the blank dial of a 3646.

In other words, you'd have to isolate the watch from the rest and ask Jake...

[Rolesor]

Hmm interesting. No desire to buy it myself but I'd like to get to the bottom of it haha

[Rolesor]

Originally Posted by 77T

There may be a good reason for it, but the crown looks like it came from a 3636 but the case is more like a later 6152. And Rolex may have been added to the blank dial of a 3646.

In other words, you'd have to isolate the watch from the rest and ask Jake...

Sounds like to may be a frankenwatch potentially?

[cornerstore]

Originally Posted by Rolesor

Sounds like to may be a frankenwatch potentially?

That was a given when you posted the pic. 77T has pointed out the various models it could be made from as does the article link, however considering the history between the companies and the overall look it could be something else.

[77T]

Franken may be to strong, maybe previous owners since the 1950's had to use parts that were available at the time a fix was needed.

There were some 47mm cushion cased Rolex dialed Panerai's but the dial included the coronet.





In sequence from the '40's to '50's you can see how the the case, crown and dial changed...

3636





3646





6152

[Rolesor]

Interesting. Thanks for the input guys!

[Onx]

Patel? Didn't know India make good mechanical watches.. haha jk

[mfer]

Highly likely it is a fake. Sorry to say.