6152 Dials. What is historically correct?

[ragerover]

I posted this on TRC, but didn't get much of a reply.

So I was hoping for some input.

I'm planning out a 6152/1 project.
Panerai basically used 2 dial styles. One which said Luminor Panerai (yes, the early ones said Radiomir) and Marina Militare.

Which dial is more correct?
I have seen 6151s with both dials. Hell, I've even seen early 6152s with the "Radiomir Panerai" dial.

Does it just come down to what I like?
Did it have to do with year the watch was made? or how the watchmaker/dial maker felt that day?
Did it have to do with when the watch was serviced? Such as, it originally came with "M.M." on the dial, but when the watch was serviced, Panerai changed the dial to "Luminor Panerai"?

I've searched through Antiquorum and most of the 6151/2s say Panerai on the dial. But a few say "Marina Militare."

If you go by dates, it makes no sense. As there were early watches that had Panerai on the dial as well as later ones. Same with Marina Militare.

Military watches tend to have no-name dials. Then again, pleanty of IWCs, Rolexes, & Tudors were issued to various militaries with the name on the dial, so I guess I just contradicted myself.

So any Panerai experts out there want to shed some light on this one? Enzo ?

Thanks!

 

[hooligan]

I would venture a guess that the Marina Militare watches were actually the watches produced for the Italian Navy and the Luminor/Radiomir Panerai were for non military sales?

That would explain the dials not coinciding with the year built, etc. Just a guess, though.

 

[babola]

I would venture a guess that the Marina Militare watches were actually the watches produced for the Italian Navy and the Luminor/Radiomir Panerai were for non military sales?

That would explain the dials not coinciding with the year built, etc. Just a guess, though.

Ditto, I believe.
Even though at that time the majority of Panerai watches and instruments were made exclusively for the Italian navy (Marina Militare Italia), there was a smaller quantity of these made for general public, mainly diver's community, and those bore Radiomir and Luminor Panerai dial text.

Enzo will, I'm sure, have something to add to this and expand on it.

cheers,
babola

 

[watchlover]

This is interesting... I would like to know more about this too.. I'm a sucker for the 'Marina Militare'.. its utilitarian look is just yummy..

 

[Perspex Tropic]

Untill The Italian Navy cancelled the order for Divers watches from Panerai in the 1980's becuase of budget cuts, The Panerai watches where considered A military secret.
From then on the OP brand started to enter the civillian market.
At first the small Family Business "Orlogeria Svizzera" from 1860 sold Swiss pocketwatches,
1915 The Patents for Radium Luminous paint secured Contracts and close ties with The Italian Navy.
During 1930's & WWII Rolex/Panerai Produced/Delivered The first produced Divers Watch to the Italian and German Navy Using Radium Paint dubbed 'Radiomir' or non-radioactive 'Luminor'
In the 1950's OP Produced watches for the Egyptian and Israeli Navy.
"Marina Militare" is the name for the Republic Navy, wich before was "Regia Marina" or Royal Italian Navy.
I am not sure when exactly The name of the Navy was changed.
During wartime many things turn chaotic, there are many changes in the Dials and watches and not even the company it selfs seems to have A straight gronology.