Panerai with Rolex Movement

[Andy83n]

Hi,

I stumbled across this pocket watch with a Rolex movement and seem to remember that some early Panerai used Rolex internals and cases.

So my question is, would this be a great starting point for a in-period franken Panerai and if so who would be the best placed modder to assisit with a suitable build

Gents 9ct cased open face stem-wind pocket watch by Rolex, hallmarked Birmingham 1922. The white ena

Gents 9ct cased open face stem-wind pocket watch by Rolex, hallmarked Birmingham 1922. The w... in Lockdales Jeweller... (09 Apr 24) by Lockdales Auctio...

www.easyliveauction.com

Cheers

 

[Andy83n]

@Belkin12 what would you suggest my friend

 

[Belkin12]

I'm not an expert in pocket rlx watches so I have no idea what's inside and how it could be implemented for a wrist. At least, I've never heard about pam/rlx collaboration in 1922...

 

[Hesekiel]

Early Panerais such as the 3646 and the 6152 in its many variations used a Rolex 618, which was based on the Cortebert 616. Converting a Cortebert 616 to Rolex 618 specs is an expensive undertaking as these parts are unobtainium or silly expensive now, so no.

@Belkin12 once built me a Rolerai powered by a Cortebert 540, dressed up as a Rolex 618. That was a masterpiece that only he can perform, but before you dive so deep into Panerai history, you should really get your feet wet with some simpler version, powered usually by an ETA 6497.

Babysteps, my friend. The journey is exciting, but you can't start your climbing journey with Mount Everest. Once you are an experienced climber with money to boost, Belkin12 is your Yoda who can make the impossible happen.

Below photo taken by Belkin12 himself:

 

[GPFModDep]

Some background reading https://perezcope.com/movements/

You're looking into the rabbit hole and there's only one way to go

 

[Andy83n]

thanks all.

That's the thing isnt it, would this Rolex movement, which is in a £400 pocket watch, be a good base for an early Panerai ?

A 9CT GOLD OPEN FACED POCKET WATCH. the white enamel dial with black Roman numerals and subsidiary s

A 9CT GOLD OPEN FACED POCKET WATCH. the white enamel dial with black Roman numerals and subs... in Jewellery & Watches(18 Apr 24) by Lawrence Fine Art A...

www.easyliveauction.com

 

[Woundup]

thanks all.

That's the thing isnt it, would this Rolex movement, which is in a £400 pocket watch, be a good base for an early Panerai ?

No.

As @Belkin12 already stated, a Rolex pocket watch from 1922 would not have any relevance to Panerai.

 

[Andy83n]

No.

As @Belkin12 already stated, a Rolex pocket watch from 1922 would not have any relevance to Panerai.

Cool.

The lastink was from 1938 and I'm sure that movements didn't change much from the 30's to the 50's so would probably be a lot more relevant than whatever later Chinese clone movements you have in your watches?

 

[Woundup]

GPFModDep provided a link above to a great resource for educating yourself on the early Panerai's and timelines.

 

[PGorbson]

I don’t post much, and these gentlemen may or may not know me, but if they do, they know this has consumed the last 8 months of my life. Any minute free. I mean any single minute free.
@Andy83n I strongly suggest you consider this your warning.

(I also suggest DSNs 618 movement, if you can find one, and swap out ETA parts including a 6498 weighted balance wheel - looks extremely close to Rolex 618 (based on Cortebert 616) but may more budget friendly, and easily repairable.

Good luck
-PG

 

[Hesekiel]

Finding a DSN 618 is as difficult as finding a Rolex 618. Plus, thanks to Gordon's retirement, the supply of quality 3646 and 6152/1 cases has dried up.

 

[Mikasonu]

I think it's pretty cool that Panerai is using Rolex movements in some of their watches. It shows how both brands are pretty serious about quality and precision. Panerai has always had a strong, distinctive design, and adding Rolex movements just brings even more reliability and performance to the table. It's like getting the best of both worlds—Panerai's bold, military-inspired look with the top-tier mechanics of Rolex. If you're into Panerai. I like how it adds that little extra bit of prestige without losing the Panerai identity. You can check out more details on this panerai 1:1 piece here for more info!

 

[matrixxu]

If you just like the looks, use a molnjia or a cortebert as a base.
Talk to Belkin, and his build will be a watch that you can TRUELY enjoy and wear with zero worries.

If you want old, but performance similar to modern watches, Hamilton 921 is the only way to go. Not mentioning Hamilton 923 since only ~3400 were produced.

Swiss 649x , be it unitas or eta is the best when it comes to " well, Panerai used it with some decorations and tweaks " , and a solid, accurate and reliable movement that can easily maintained for the next 80 years.
No shock protection, no impressive accuracy, silly prices for spares ( scarcity ) and requirement of a VERY good watchmaker made me completely give up on any ideas of Angelus SF240 / Rolex 618 / Cortebert 616 builds.
Everybody says " grail " , but as the years pass , most builds of this nature are just safe queens , nobody posts real data, performance, it's just a ton of money , time and trouble down the drain.