161
Rolex
Ref. 4500
"Monoblocco"
A set of two rare and very attractive 9K yellow gold chronograph wristwatches with consecutive case numbers, offered in a joint presentation box
- Estimate
- CHF60,000 - 120,000€52,800 - 106,000$61,500 - 123,000
CHF93,750
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- Rolex
- Year
- Circa 1947
- Reference No
- 4500
- Case No
- 579’822 and 579’823
- Model Name
- "Monoblocco"
- Material
- 9K yellow gold
- Calibre
- Manual, cal. 13'' VZ 23, 17 jewels
- Bracelet/Strap
- Leather
- Clasp/Buckle
- Gold plated Rolex pin buckles
- Dimensions
- 35mm Diameter
- Signed
- Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
- Accessories
- Accompanied by fitted Rolex case
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
Launched in the early 1940s, the Rolex reference 4500 was a taste of things to come in terms of chronograph designs from the firm with the crown.
The reference 4500 chronograph introduced an all new case style with straighter, more pointed lugs that are still found on modern Rolex Oyster models, ranging from the Datejust, to the Day-Date, to the Daytona. Prior to its introduction, Rolex had preferred the Calatrava-style lugs, with slightly curved lines. It is furthermore one of the very rare chronographs in an Oyster case to feature only two counters, doing without the hour totalizer.
We are delighted to offer these two reference 4500 in a rare 9K pink gold case with immediately succeeding serial numbers: 579’822 and 579’823, both retailed by Serpico y Laino in Caracas, Venezuela.
Even though the serial numbers follow one another there are very small differences in the dial design. Both models feature applied Arabic numerals at even hours, however the model with serial number ending in 22 has subdials that partly eat into the numerals 2, 4, 8 and 10 whereas this is less apparent for the model with serial number ending in 23.
The multi-scale dial features an eye-catching blue telemeter within the black tachometer scale found along its outer circumference. The cases retain nice proportions and since they are in 9K gold, they have turned a pleasing light pink color.
The watches are offered in their original leather Serpico Y Laino signed case adding extra glamour to an already exciting set.
The reference 4500 chronograph introduced an all new case style with straighter, more pointed lugs that are still found on modern Rolex Oyster models, ranging from the Datejust, to the Day-Date, to the Daytona. Prior to its introduction, Rolex had preferred the Calatrava-style lugs, with slightly curved lines. It is furthermore one of the very rare chronographs in an Oyster case to feature only two counters, doing without the hour totalizer.
We are delighted to offer these two reference 4500 in a rare 9K pink gold case with immediately succeeding serial numbers: 579’822 and 579’823, both retailed by Serpico y Laino in Caracas, Venezuela.
Even though the serial numbers follow one another there are very small differences in the dial design. Both models feature applied Arabic numerals at even hours, however the model with serial number ending in 22 has subdials that partly eat into the numerals 2, 4, 8 and 10 whereas this is less apparent for the model with serial number ending in 23.
The multi-scale dial features an eye-catching blue telemeter within the black tachometer scale found along its outer circumference. The cases retain nice proportions and since they are in 9K gold, they have turned a pleasing light pink color.
The watches are offered in their original leather Serpico Y Laino signed case adding extra glamour to an already exciting set.
Literature
Rolex
Swiss | 1905Founded 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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