Auctions
Caution! 5218-207/A Slytech at Sotheby’s
Auctions
Caution! 5218-207/A Slytech at Sotheby’s
Link to the auction: Sotheby’s Lot 153 Panerai 5218-207/A, 032/200
“The present lot is an interesting example as this reference with the blue indexes on a white dial was produced in an extremely limited number, likely under 10 examples.”
According to “Panerai – Una storia Italiana” a book by Loris Pasetto and Luciano Cipullo, 41 of these watches were sent to Sylvester Stallone in December 1995. Sly did not like the blue dial and 37 watches were returned to Officine Panerai S.p.A. in three different shipments. 4 watches were never returned and went missing.
On page 172 of “Panerai – Una storia Italiana” the authors list the missing watches. The numbers are: 032, 033, 034 and 035.
For some reason, Officine Panerai S.p.A. decided to redo all matriculation numbers due to the 4 missing watches. On page 174 it says:
“As a result of the missing four watches and their respective matriculation numbers, the decision was made to redo the numbering sequence, milling away the previous entry and placing a new number in the rectangular space previously obtained by bas-relief.
On 12th March 1996 the 101 Daylights were sent to Guenat S.A. Montres valgine for the necessary changes. 97 watches, numbered 001 to 097, were returned on 27th May whilst the remaining four (098 – 101) were delivered directly by Guenat to Monty Shadow (without box or guarantee).”
Here is number 089/200 to compare.
For the production of Ref. 5218-207/A Slytech, Officine Panerai S.p.A. sent 105 already produced and not yet sold Ref. 5218-201/A (Logo) watches back to Guenat S.A. in Switzerland to be modified. Many of these watches were from the first 5218-201/A (Logo) batch from 1993 and an early movement type is therefore not unusual for this reference.
Thoughts
Considering the information that is available for this specific reference, this watch does not appear in good light. The dial does not belong to this watch and whether the sequence numbering 032/200 is orginal or not is up to speculation.
Stay safe out there.
Editor’s Note: For more of Jose’s horological investigative work go on to perezcope.com