Rolex / Panerai

• cal. 16'''  manual winding nickel lever movement, 17 jewels, overcoil hairspring, anti-magnetic cover • sandwich construction dial consisting of a superposition of two discs, the lower one coated with luminous substance visible through the cut-out baton and Arabic numerals in the matte black upper disc, brass luminescent hands • stainless steel polished case, Rolex Oyster 8mm Brevet screw-down crown, screw-down case back • case and movement signed Rolex, dial signed Panerai • with a stainless steel buckle stamped GPF-Mod Dep

Movement is in working order while cataloguing, the movement is in overall good viaul condition with some loss of plating the small bridge next to the escape wheel. Please note the movement has not been tested for time keeping and a service might be required at the buyer's expense. Dial is generally clean, luminescent material and the material on the signature have been aged, as mentioned in the footnote, although identical in design all known dials on the ref.6154 have become vastly aged, possibly due to a higher level of radium used on those dials. Replaced crystal. Replaced hands with light scratches. Case with various surface scratches, signs of polishing, the case back has been changed to the Ref.6152/1 and is stamped as such on the inside. There are no case numbers as the 6154 features the serial number on the inner case back and the 6152/1 has them on the case center between the lugs at the 6 position. Overall a very rare and collectable watch with future potential should a 6154 case-back ever appear on the market incorrectly fitted to Ref. 6152/1.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. All dimensions in catalogue descriptions are approximate. Condition reports may not specify mechanical replacements or imperfections to the movement, case, dial, pendulum, separate base(s) or dome. Watches in water-resistant cases have been opened to examine movements but no warranties are made that the watches are currently water-resistant. Please note that we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts, such as wheels, hands, crowns, crystals, screws, bracelets and leather bands, since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. In particular, please note it is the purchaser's responsibility to comply with any applicable import and export matters, particularly in relation to lots incorporating materials from endangered species.NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

**Please be advised that bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator and crocodile) are not sold with the watches and are for display purposes only. We reserve the right to remove these bands prior to shipping.

Important Notice regarding importation into the United States of Rolex watches
Sotheby's cannot arrange for the delivery of Rolex watches to the United States because U.S. laws restricts the import of Rolex watches. The buyer or a designated agent may collect the property in the country of sale."

Shortly after the introduction of the Panerai Ref. 6152 a small group of Egyptian navy personnel visited the training ground of the Italian navy and requested a similar wristwatch to those used by the Italian commando’s. Delivered in 1954, it is understood by literature only 40 examples of the Ref. 6154 were manufactured by Rolex within a specifically designed and unique slimmer case. Created from a single piece of steel the central case height is only 5.7mm with a slight bevel, this compares to 7.4 mm for the 6152 and 7.2mm for the 6152/1. In addition the height of the case lugs, which are less angled then the other references is 4.3 mm, compared to 4.8 mm on the 5162 and 5.5 on the 6152/1. The diameter of the bezel for the Ref. 6154 measures 45.5 mm as compared to 45.25 for the Ref.6152 and 45.8 for the Ref.6152/1. Of those manufactured very few of the 6154 references whereabouts are known today and only a handful have appeared at auction, with all examples being fitted with Radiomir Panerai dials and 8 mm Rolex crowns.

Although housed within a 47 mm case the Ref.6152 is often referred to by collectors as the ‘Little Egyptian’ due the considerably larger 60 mm GPF 2/56 also produced by Panerai for the Egyptian navy in 1956.

As is commonplace with military watches, the present lot has been fitted, presumably during a routine service, with a non-standard, although similarly rare, Panerai Ref.6152/1 caseback, replacement brass hands and a Panerai Ref.6152 dial.

For an example of case dimensions used on the Ref.6152, 6154 and 6152/1, see the book Vintage Panerai by Ralf Ehlers and Volker Wiegmann page 175, for a note on the 6154 see page 189.