Manufacturer: Rolex Year: 1953 Reference No: 6202 Movement No: 218 Case No: 953'379 Model Name: "Turn-O-Graph" Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Automatic, cal. A260, 19 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Rolex stainless steel riveted Oyster bracelet, end links stamped 58, max. length 185mm Clasp/Buckle: Folding deployant clasp, stamped 4.67 Dimensions: 35mm. Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex guarantee, product literature, plastic wallet, and pouch
Catalogue Essay
Reference 6202 can be considered the first Rolex tool watch ever produced in series. With its rotating bezel calibrated to 60 units, the ground-breaking “Turn-O-Graph” can be considered the starting point of Rolex’s 60-plus years of successful sport watches.
This example from 1953, the first year of the Turn-O-Graph’s production, is fitted with all of its original components, including its metal bezel insert.
The visually most striking element however is the glossy black dial with luminous hour markers surrounded by a gilt-colored outer chapter ring – retaining its beautiful luster and original luminous hour markers. The present lot is in overall remarkable condition for a watch of its age, with a sharp, well-defined case that is consistent with the state of preservation of the dial. Accompanied by the original Rolex guarantee, product literature, plastic wallet, and pouch, this watch offers tremendous value for the savvy collector.
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.