1083
Rolex
Ref. 6036
Oyster "Dato-Compax"
An attractive stainless steel triple calendar chronograph wristwatch
Full-Cataloguing
- Iconic Dato-Compax model ref. 6036
- Triple calendar chronograph from circa 1952
From 1947 until 1962, Rolex produced a series of rare and innovative triple calendar chronograph wristwatches housed in Oyster cases, encompassing the references 4767, 5036, 6036 and 6236. Produced in very limited numbers, these references were made in yellow and pink gold, as well as stainless steel. The ref. 6036 was launched in 1951 and produced for only five years. Cased in a 36mm monobloc Oyster case, the movement is powered by the Valjoux-based manual wound cal. 72C.
Initially known as the “Dato-Compax”, the present stainless steel ref. 6036 bearing crisp case number between the lugs numbered "917'851" dates to circa 1952 and features the rare Oyster Solo designation which is also found in a similar example sold at auction bearing case number 917’876. There are a total of 380 ref. 6036 made in stainless steel.
The Oyster-solo dial also features small bullet markers with luminous dots, contrasted with the blue date ring. Ultimately, this Rolex ref. 6036 bridges early 1950s innovation and the refined elegance of vintage Rolex.
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.