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43

Rolex

Ref. 6612

Day-Date

An extremely rare and historically important platinum and diamond-set calendar wristwatch with centre seconds, grey dial and big logo bracelet

Estimate
CHF100,000 - 200,000
CHF473,000
Lot Details
Manufacturer
Rolex
Year
1958
Reference No
6612
Case No
403'680
Model Name
Day-Date
Material
Platinum and diamonds
Calibre
Automatic, 1055
Bracelet/Strap
Rolex President
Clasp/Buckle
Folding deployant clasp with big logo and stamped 3.59
Dimensions
36mm Diameter
Signed
<em>Movement, dial, case and bracelet signed Rolex</em>
Catalogue Essay
“Men who guide the destinies of the world wear Rolex watches”. Perhaps, to be in cohesion with the famous campaign of the ‘50s, Rolex realised timepieces such as the platinum example illustrated here.

The decision to use this precious material was based upon the objective to combine an extremely high-end product meant for the luxury world and its undeniable sporty nature.
This 6612 reference, manufactured in 1958, is one of only two examples known in platinum. Most fascinatingly, they have consecutive case numbers underlining the rarity of this reference
cased in platinum. The other example is illustrated in "100 Superlative Rolex Watches", by John Goldberger, page 174-175.

It must be pointed out that the present dial differs from later productions, due to the circular finishing. Moreover, it is embellished with 8 round cut and 2 baguette-cut diamond hour markers placed at 6 and 9 o’clock.

The platinum President bracelet displays a concealed clasp and a larger Rolex crown logo. Internally, the case back bears the 6612 reference, indicating Day-Dates fitted with smooth bezels. The other marks stamped inside are the PT–0.950 marking referred to the platinum hallmark and the key which is the maker's emblem.

Rolex

Swiss | 1905
Founded in 1905 England by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis as Wilsdorf & Davis, it soon became known as the Rolex Watch Company in 1915, moving its headquarters to Geneva in 1919. Like no other company, the success of the wristwatch can be attributed to many of Rolex's innovations that made them one of the most respected and well-known of all luxury brands. These innovations include their famous "Oyster" case — the world's first water resistant and dustproof watch case, invented in 1926 — and their "Perpetual" — the first reliable self-winding movement for wristwatches launched in 1933. They would form the foundation for Rolex's Datejust and Day-Date, respectively introduced in 1945 and 1956, but also importantly for their sports watches, such as the Explorer, Submariner and GMT-Master launched in the mid-1950s.One of its most famous models is the Cosmograph Daytona. Launched in 1963, these chronographs are without any doubt amongst the most iconic and coveted of all collectible wristwatches. Other key collectible models include their most complicated vintage watches, including references 8171 and 6062 with triple calendar and moon phase, "Jean Claude Killy" triple date chronograph models and the Submariner, including early "big-crown" models and military-issued variants.
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