Panerai Diver’s Compass, 1970s

An historically interesting diver’s wrist compass made by luxury Italian watchmaker Panerai, circa 1970. The large domed instrument with anti-magnetic base has a large, liquid-filled Plexiglas dome enclosing the black dial with luminous indexes and cardinal point letters readable to a depth of 5 metres, and is fitted using a waterproof webbing strap with steel buckle. Navigation is calculated by utilizing the revolving bezel with two raised luminous dots, which are fitted to the outer ring. Signed Officine Panerai S.R.L No. 228.

Diameter of compass: 70 mm
Height off wrist: 50 mm

Officine Panerai were founded in Florence in 1860, where the company remains to this day. Panerai played a major role in assisting the commando frogmen of the Regia Marina (Italian Royal Navy) during operations in World War II and were also responsible for the design of the Radiomir and Luminor brand of wristwatches.

Illustrated: ‘Panerai Historica – From the depths of the sea’ by Giampiero Negretti, published by Officine Panerai in 1999. Page 69, and front cover.

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