Movimenti Panerai

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panerailover

Posted on 20/9/2008, 02:41

Supreme Eminence

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Posts: 18,882

Location: Padova

Joined: 28/5/2005

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Vintage

Any chance I get I just love learning about the movements of the vintage Panerai era. These watches had the Rolex caliber 618, made by Cortebert exclusively for Rolex. Rolex used these movements mostly for their diminishing pocket watch business. When Panerai engaged Rolex to aid in the development of their Militare time keeping instruments, the 618 was a good fit with the oversized case required for an oversized and visible dial. I still wonder if the case was designed after the movement's specs, not a remote possibility at all. The love for these movements cannot be separated from their association with the vintage Panerai. I know many that own a pocket watch with this caliber and enjoy just looking at it. It is the heart of the vintage pieces but also even back in the 40s a well proven work-horse that has withstood time. Some of these 618s are 70 years old and keeping great time.

I came across the comparison photo below and spent some time looking at the heritage of the Rolex Cortebert and its lineage to the current hand-wound Panerai.

The top row shows the Rolex caliber 618, 17 jewels and in these two examples without the Cotes decoration that are typical of the movements in the vintage Panerai (second pic).

The second row shows the Cortebert caliber 616 with 15 jewels. The one on the left is likely from the 40s or 50s as evidenced by the quality of the finish, and also by the Cotes decoration which is similar to that in the vintage Panerai movements. The movement on the left appears to have had the Brand Rolex engraved, however, the subtle difference in the plates shows it is a Cortebert. The movement on the right is also a Cortebert from a later time (my guess is 60's/70s) and one can notice a crude quality in the finish of the plates, however, the rest of the components appear to be the same.

Cortebert licenced the design of their trusty 616 movement to the Russian watch company Molnija. I am unsure when this happened, however one can find 616 style Molnijas from the 50's onward. The movement on the third row, left, is a contemporary Molnija that uses the licensed Cortebert design. Ironically this movement has come full circle as is the movement found in fake Panerais. This contemporary Molnija is finished so crudely that I would be weary of cutting my fingers when handling. On the right we have an unmarked contemporary Unitas. This base movement is the base on many Swiss Brands' hand-wound movements and indeed a proven contemporary work-horse.

The last row are an A series Panerai (Pre-V?) and on the right a contemporary hand-wound ETA found in all the current historics. ETA acquired Unitas and today they are part of the Swatch group.

What is striking of all of these movements is that thru the last 70 years all hand-wound Panerais have been essentially the same except for plate design and decoration. If one looks at the position of the balance wheel and the gears it is nearly identical all thru the years. So our hand-wind Panerais are really more connected to the past than we give them credit for some times. I must say that my admiration for these old movements just continues to grow.

Rolex 618 15 rubini

Rolex 618 17 rubini

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The cal. 650 looks interesting, thanks for posting the information. Can I ask where you found the scans, or if you can get any for other movements?

The cal.600 / 650 was 9 ¾ lignes, whilst the cal. 618 and 622 were both 16 ligne with seconds, and the cal. 624 was 17 ligne (derived from the Cortebert 624 with a large base plate, and thinner movement depth). I have also read that the Rolex cal. 291 was very similar, however I have no information about this.

Looking at the similarities between the Cortebert 616 / Rolex 618, and Cortebert 624 / Rolex 624, it does seem that Rolex simply used the Ebauche movement with modified plates; however if the Pocket Watch movements were Cortebert Ebauches or not remains to be seen (the Cortebert 591 and Rolex 520 seem to be the same). Can anybody fill in the gaps?!

the cal.618 is a special request ebauche with
unusually large size (for that time) by Rolex to
Cortebert, to fit the case size demanded for the
watch made for the Italian Navy. It is made with
the same basic layout as the 600 series, but with
enlarged & improved parts.
Agrees that all the current 500 to 700 series caliber
at that time are all below 11 lignes in size (ranging
from 8 3/4 to 10 1/2 lignes), used in Rolex hunter style
pocket and wrist watch. I believe the 618 is never been
used for other Rolex model, thus confirms its secretive
and "made-to-order" exclusive nature.

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Molnija

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Angelus 240

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Cortebert 618 v. Minerva v. the ETA/Unitas 6498

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PreV

Vendome

OP I

OP I

The OP I was used exclusively from 1997-2001 in the Luminor Base. It is based on the ETA 6497/Top hand-wind movement, and has no seconds hand and therefore does not qualify for a COSC certificate.

Its basic characteristics are:

* 16 1/2 lignes
* 17 jewels
* Bridges personalised by Panerai
* Glucydur balance
* 21,600 VPH
* Incabloc shock protection
* 41 hours power reserve

OP II

The OP II was from 1997-2001 the standard handwind movement in historic models such as the Luminor Marina.

It features hours, minutes and small seconds indications, and therefore qualifies for a COSC certificate.

It is based on the ETA 6497/2 hand-wind movement.

Its basic characteristics are:

* 16 1/2 lignes
* 17 jewels
* Bridges personalised by Panerai
* Glucydur balance
* 21,600 VPH
* Incabloc shock protection
* 41 hours power reserve

OP III

The OP III is the workhorse of the Panerai line, and is featured in nearly all watches with no significant complications.

It is based on the Valjoux 7750-P1 and features

* 21 jewels
* Panerai personalisation on the bridges and rotor
* Glucydur balance
* 28,800 VPH
* Incabloc shock protection
* 42 hours power reserve

The movement measures 13 1/4 lignes.

It is certified with a C.O.S.C. chronometer certificate.

Its characteristic signature marks are small seconds at 9 and a date at 3

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OP IV

The OP IV is Panerai's chronograph movement. It is based on the "high beat" Zenith El Primero.

* 13 1/4 lignes
* 31 jewels
* Panerai personalisation on the bridges and rotor
* Glucydur balance
* 36,000 VPH
* Kif shock protection
* 50 hours power reserve

It is certified with a C.O.S.C. chronometer certificate.

Its characteristic signature marks are small seconds at 9 and a date at 4, central chronograph seconds, and totalisers at 3 and 6.

The variant of this movement used in the original PAM 52 chronograph did not have a date indicator.

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OP V

The OP V first made an appearance with a PAM 45 Luminor Chrono 2000. It is based on a Frédérique Piguet chrono movement, with a date at 4.

Its basic characteristics are:

* 11 1/2 lignes
* 37 jewels
* Glucydur balance
* 21,600 VPH
* Kif shock protection
* 45 hours power reserve
* 18ct gold rotor

OP VI

The OP VI has only ever surfaced in the Luminor Chrono Flyback from 2000. It is based on the Zenith El Primero, like the OP IV, however a flyback function has been added.

* 13 1/4 lignes
* 31 jewels
* Panerai personalisation on the rotor
* Glucydur balance
* 36,000 VPH
* Kif shock protection
* 50 hours power reserve

OP VIII

The OP VIII is a GMT variant of the OP III.

It is still based on automatic Valjoux 7750-P1 and features

* 13 1/4 lignes size
* 21 jewels
* Panerai personalisation on the bridges and rotor
* Glucydur balance
* 28,800 VPH
* Incabloc shock protection
* 42 hours power reserve

It is certified with a C.O.S.C. chronometer certificate.

Its characteristic signature marks are small seconds at 9 and a date at 3, and a central GMT hand.

OP IX

The OP IX is the power reserve variant of the OP III.

It is still based on automatic Valjoux 7750-P1 and features

* 13 1/4 lignes size
* 21 jewels
* Panerai personalisation on the bridges and rotor
* Glucydur balance
* 28,800 VPH
* Incabloc shock protection
* 42 hours power reserve

It is certified with a C.O.S.C. chronometer certificate.

Its characteristic signature marks are small seconds at 9 and a date at 3, and a power reserve indicator at 4.

OP X

The OP X superceded the OP I in 2002.

Like the OP XI it is still based on the same ETA 6497 hand-wind movement, but now features a swan's neck regulator and completely redesigned bridges.

Its basic characteristics are:

* 16 1/2 lignes
* 17 jewels
* Bridges personalised by Panerai
* Glucydur balance with Nivarox spring
* 21,600 VPH
* Incabloc shock protection
* 56 hours power reserve

Like the OP I / OP II difference, the OP X does not have a seconds hand, and so does not have a COSC certificate.

OP XI

The OP XI superceded the OP II in 2002.

It is still based on the same ETA 6497/2 hand-wind movement, but now features a swan's neck regulator and completely redesigned bridges. The published power reserve has also increased.

Its basic characteristics are:

* 16 1/2 lignes
* 17 jewels
* Bridges personalised by Panerai
* Glucydur balance with Nivarox spring
* 21,600 VPH
* Incabloc shock protection
* 56 hours power reserve

OP XII

The OP XII is an automatic chronograph movement based on the Valjoux 7753, with a date at 4, and a date quickset pusher around 11.

13¼ lignes, 27 jewels. Monometallic Glucydur® balance making 28,800 alternations/hour. Incabloc® anti-shock device. Power reserve 46 hours. Bridges and oscillating weight personalized PANERAI. Chronometer Certificate (C.O.S.C.).

OP XIII

Radiomir GMT movement.

OP XIV

The OP XIV is an eight-day hand wind movement based on a JLC calibre.

Movement: hand-wound mechanical calibre.

* 13¼ lignes
* 33 jewels
* 28,800 alternations/hour
* power reserve of 8 days

Côtes de Geneve decoration, bridge with indication of power reserve with brushed finish, burnished blued screws, balance spring adjusted by micrometer screw "swan-neck" regulator. Double main-spring barrel.

OP XVI

The OP is a hand-wound mechanical calibre powering two-register chronographs.

* 12 lignes
* 18 jewels
* 21,600 alternations/hour

Power reserve of 48 hours, Côtes de Genève decoration, bridges personalised PANERAI.

OP XVIII

An exclusive Valjoux-based double column wheel automatic chronograph with rattrapante (split second) function.

* 13 1/4 lignes
* 31 jewels
* 28,800 VPH
* 42 hour power reserve

OP XIX

An exclusive Valjoux-based automatic chronograph with flyback function.

* 13 1/4 lignes
* 30 jewels
* 28,800 VPH
* 42 hour power reserve

Angelus 240 su PAM 203

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Comparazione tra i calibri Prev, PreA e dei PAM 000-005

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Nota bene con la lettera H (2005) Panerai ha introdotto le coste di ginevra, il collo di cigno e una molla di carica più efficace (aumenta di circa X ore la riserva di carica)nei movimenti XX e XX. Invece nei movimenti Xx e XX dal 2005 è stata solo modificata la molla di carica.

Scheda tecnica UNITAS

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