ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX

28 June 2006, 02:10 AM

Our fellow TRFer and fellow paneristi, Launch Mini sent me a copy of this book (thanks again, John).

While the translation to English is a tad rough in spots, I was flabbergasted to learn how integral the Panerai watches and other navel and aviation gizmos were to the war effort of Italy in both 'World Wars' (ahem, for both sides).

The Panerai truly was/is the original professional diver's watch. These things were designed in 1935 (the initial Radiomir) and into production shortly after that. Granted, the movements and cases were manufactured by Rolex, HOWEVER all to S. Panerai's own designs. The original Rads were waterproof to a depth of 200m, in 1938!!

Having read this book cover to cover, I was also amazed by the bravery of the Gamma Swimmers and the 10th Flotilla, who rode torpedo-like vehicles through anti-submarine and torpedo nets (stopping to cut their way through the wire mesh), into harbours, under ships where they would place an explosive on a timer and speed away to safety (sometimes). One raid alone sank over 60,000 tons of British warships!

This new found knowledge really exacerbates my pride in owning a Panerai with a history, while not big on 'haute horologie' per se, but big on functionality in the worst conditions, is something any watch manufacturer would kill for. Plus the fact that Panerai has vowed that production will not exceed more than 40,000 pieces a year is also pretty cool, i.e., not cashing in and upping production to a point where Pannies become as 'common' as Rolex.

If you have a panerai and don't have this book... GET IT.

Thanks again, John.

padi56 · 28 June 2006, 03:55 AM

Did have six copies of the book ,gave the last one away about 6 months ago a great read.

GMTIIPilot · 28 June 2006, 07:57 AM

I have a dumb question, how do you pronounce Panerai.
Is it like Pan-air-a?

Roverdave · 28 June 2006, 08:13 AM

Where can I get a copy? I've got a BASE and a 221 on order, and am in the process of picking up a 111 as well. I would LOVE to read up on the history of this great company!!

w4rmk · 28 June 2006, 08:18 AM

pan-err-rye

Launch Mini · 28 June 2006, 09:32 AM

These books were "free swag" form my AD for me recent additions.
There should be more swag showing up in the dealers hands sometime in July.
Call your AD, see what they have and if you can get some.

padi56 · 28 June 2006, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Launch Mini

These books were "free swag" form my AD for me recent additions.
There should be more swag showing up in the dealers hands sometime in July.
Call your AD, see what they have and if you can get some.

Yes they were free but at one time on fleabay in the UK they was selling for up to £50.My watchmaker friend got mine for me,they had a lot of copies for some sort of promotion a few years ago.And the shop moved so I was lucky he brought me 6 copies home,but I gave them all away except for my one,must say a good read.

Roverdave · 29 June 2006, 11:11 AM

The AD that I purchased the BASE Logo from and have my 221 on order with said that they only have the one copy left for the shop. If anyone has a copy that they would like to sell I would pay for it and the shipping...

Thanks!!

dman · 29 June 2006, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roverdave

The AD that I purchased the BASE Logo from and have my 221 on order with said that they only have the one copy left for the shop. If anyone has a copy that they would like to sell I would pay for it and the shipping...

Thanks!!

Dave, I am going by my AD to pick up a strap that order awhile back. If they have one, I will grab it for you and ship it out. I will know tomorrow by lunch.

29 June 2006, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dman

Dave, I am going by my AD to pick up a strap that order awhile back. If they have one, I will grab it for you and ship it out. I will know tomorrow by lunch.

This is what the Panerai brand is all about... sharing the passion!

Roverdave · 30 June 2006, 01:11 AM

Dman-you are the man!

Hopefully they have one, please let me know if it costs you anything and what shipping will be and I will be sure to fire funds off to you ASAP. If you get this before you go to your AD, let me know if they have a 111 in stock and what it could be had for. My local doesn't have one and says he probably won't until sometime after my 221 comes in as he has deposits for three already...

Thanks!!

dman · 30 June 2006, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roverdave

Dman-you are the man!

Hopefully they have one, please let me know if it costs you anything and what shipping will be and I will be sure to fire funds off to you ASAP. If you get this before you go to your AD, let me know if they have a 111 in stock and what it could be had for. My local doesn't have one and says he probably won't until sometime after my 221 comes in as he has deposits for three already...

Thanks!!

Deposits??? That is nuts, these things are free.

Anyhow, I went to the AD today to get a couple of straps and she said that she would have some in about a month or so. She will save one for me and I will ship it to you when I do. No worries on the cost, just paying forward what many of Paneristi has done for me in the past.

dman · 30 June 2006, 12:43 PM

No 111's mate, sorry. They were pretty lpw, but they did have a new RG Rad BASE, YUMMY!!!

dman · 30 June 2006, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by w4rmk

pan-err-rye

Daylight, I love it!!

30 June 2006, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roverdave

Dman-you are the man!

Hopefully they have one, please let me know if it costs you anything and what shipping will be and I will be sure to fire funds off to you ASAP. If you get this before you go to your AD, let me know if they have a 111 in stock and what it could be had for. My local doesn't have one and says he probably won't until sometime after my 221 comes in as he has deposits for three already...

Thanks!!

Daren's other strap supplier has a used 111 for sale. It's listed on the sales corner at www.panereh.com under Steve Toronto.

Roverdave · 1 July 2006, 12:08 AM

Cool, I'll check into the panereh website!

The local AD, or I guess the guy I deal with has deposits for three 111's, not the books. Sorry for the confusion.

I can't thank you enough for snagging a book for me when they come in! I will definitely pay it forward when the opportunity presents itself!

Thanks again!

dman · 2 July 2006, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roverdave

Cool, I'll check into the panereh website!

The local AD, or I guess the guy I deal with has deposits for three 111's, not the books. Sorry for the confusion.

I can't thank you enough for snagging a book for me when they come in! I will definitely pay it forward when the opportunity presents itself!

Thanks again!

Okay, cool. As soon as I get my hands on one, it will be in the mail to ya.

28 June 2006, 02:10 AM	#1
Atomic Guest Posts: n/a	Just read Panerai Historia - From the Depths of the Sea Our fellow TRFer and fellow paneristi, Launch Mini sent me a copy of this book (thanks again, John). While the translation to English is a tad rough in spots, I was flabbergasted to learn how integral the Panerai watches and other navel and aviation gizmos were to the war effort of Italy in both 'World Wars' (ahem, for both sides). The Panerai truly was/is the original professional diver's watch. These things were designed in 1935 (the initial Radiomir) and into production shortly after that. Granted, the movements and cases were manufactured by Rolex, HOWEVER all to S. Panerai's own designs. The original Rads were waterproof to a depth of 200m, in 1938!! Having read this book cover to cover, I was also amazed by the bravery of the Gamma Swimmers and the 10th Flotilla, who rode torpedo-like vehicles through anti-submarine and torpedo nets (stopping to cut their way through the wire mesh), into harbours, under ships where they would place an explosive on a timer and speed away to safety (sometimes). One raid alone sank over 60,000 tons of British warships! This new found knowledge really exacerbates my pride in owning a Panerai with a history, while not big on 'haute horologie' per se, but big on functionality in the worst conditions, is something any watch manufacturer would kill for. Plus the fact that Panerai has vowed that production will not exceed more than 40,000 pieces a year is also pretty cool, i.e., not cashing in and upping production to a point where Pannies become as 'common' as Rolex. If you have a panerai and don't have this book... GET IT. Thanks again, John.

28 June 2006, 03:55 AM	#2
padi56 "TRF" Life Patron Join Date: Jun 2005 Real Name: Peter Location: Llanfairpwllgwyng Watch: ing you. Posts: 53,059	Did have six copies of the book ,gave the last one away about 6 months ago a great read. __________________ ICom Pro3 All posts are my own opinion and my opinion only. "The clock of life is wound but once, and no man has the power to tell just when the hands will stop. Now is the only time you actually own the time, Place no faith in time, for the clock may soon be still for ever." Good Judgement comes from experience,experience comes from Bad Judgement,.Buy quality, cry once; buy cheap, cry again and again. www.mc0yad.club Second in command CEO and left handed watch winder

28 June 2006, 08:18 AM	#5
w4rmk Banned Join Date: Apr 2006 Real Name: Richard Kloc Location: New York Watch: Deepsea D-Blue Posts: 250	Pronounced pan-err-rye pan-err-rye

28 June 2006, 09:32 AM	#6
Launch Mini "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Real Name: John Location: Canada, eh Watch: can I? Posts: 6,240	These books were "free swag" form my AD for me recent additions. There should be more swag showing up in the dealers hands sometime in July. Call your AD, see what they have and if you can get some. __________________ Something witty to go here. Member # 293

30 June 2006, 12:43 PM	#13
dman Lifetime TRF Patron Join Date: May 2005 Real Name: Daren Location: Austin Watch: the road Posts: 13,585	No 111's mate, sorry. They were pretty lpw, but they did have a new RG Rad BASE, YUMMY!!! __________________ You either get it or you don't, if you have to ask, YOU DON'T!! I really hope that midget cop doesn't find me in Kokomo.

28 June 2006, 07:57 AM	#3
GMTIIPilot Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Real Name: Pete Location: Colorado Watch: Rolex GMT II Posts: 95	I have a dumb question, how do you pronounce Panerai. Is it like Pan-air-a?

28 June 2006, 08:13 AM	#4
Roverdave Member Join Date: May 2006 Real Name: David Location: Iowa Watch: SS Sub Posts: 85	Where can I get a copy? I've got a BASE and a 221 on order, and am in the process of picking up a 111 as well. I would LOVE to read up on the history of this great company!!

29 June 2006, 11:11 AM	#8
Roverdave Member Join Date: May 2006 Real Name: David Location: Iowa Watch: SS Sub Posts: 85	The AD that I purchased the BASE Logo from and have my 221 on order with said that they only have the one copy left for the shop. If anyone has a copy that they would like to sell I would pay for it and the shipping... Thanks!!

30 June 2006, 01:11 AM	#11
Roverdave Member Join Date: May 2006 Real Name: David Location: Iowa Watch: SS Sub Posts: 85	Dman-you are the man! Hopefully they have one, please let me know if it costs you anything and what shipping will be and I will be sure to fire funds off to you ASAP. If you get this before you go to your AD, let me know if they have a 111 in stock and what it could be had for. My local doesn't have one and says he probably won't until sometime after my 221 comes in as he has deposits for three already... Thanks!!

1 July 2006, 12:08 AM	#16
Roverdave Member Join Date: May 2006 Real Name: David Location: Iowa Watch: SS Sub Posts: 85	Cool, I'll check into the panereh website! The local AD, or I guess the guy I deal with has deposits for three 111's, not the books. Sorry for the confusion. I can't thank you enough for snagging a book for me when they come in! I will definitely pay it forward when the opportunity presents itself! Thanks again!

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)