$92,000
“The Only Vintage Left-handed Marina Militare” Officine Panerai, “Marina Militare”, Ref. 6152-1. Made in 1953 for the Italian Navy. Unique and fine, large, cushion-shaped, water-resistant, left-handed, stainless steel military diver’s wristwatch. Signed Rolex, three-body, polished and brushed, screwed-down case back, straight lugs, winding-crown with pre-atent security lever on the left side of the case to be worn on the right arm, anti-magnetic dust-cap. Two plate; black upper plate with pierced Arabic numerals and indexes over a luminous-coated lower plate. Radiumcoated "bâton" hands. Notes Left handed This watch is the only known example of a left-handed vintage Officine Panerai. This watch is very unusual due to the fact that military equipment was, until recently, not made for left-handed users as it was common practice for left handed people to be “retrained” to use their right hands at school until the last half of the 20th century. With this in mind we have removed the dial of this watch and attempted to refit it as a right-handed watch, this was not possible due to the position of the dial feet confirming that the dial was made for use on this watch in a left-handed orientation. In the late 1990 The Officine Panerai produced at least on titanium Marina Militare (see lot 268, Antiquorum New York, September 25th 2002) with a left handed orientation and have launched a limited edition of 1000 examples of the Marina Militare this year in stainless steel for left
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
2005-09-28
