To most experienced collectors, this watch, a Rolex reference 3997, is an incredible new discovery. It is a model that, until its appearance here, was not known to exist by the vast majority of scholars and enthusiasts. Absolutely fresh to the market, and thanks to its refined and supremely original condition, should be considered as one of the most exciting and rare Rolex chronographs to be offered in recent years at auction.

This unbelievably rare reference is only the second example to surface until now. So many of its features make it extraordinary. It is fitted with a black, multi-scale dial that over the years has taken on a beautiful “tropical” shade of dark brown. Enhancing its beauty is the crisp, gold colored printing, with a telemeter scale along its outer circumference, and a charismatic, spiral-shaped tachometer scale at its center. Within the two snailed subsidiary dials, the printing has aged to a pleasing copper color.

The oversized case was designed by angular lugs that combined with the square-shaped chronograph pushers, give it a modern appearance defying its ¾ century age. Due to its very generous case proportions and multiple scales, this piece must have been the first choice of an important gentleman, who may have seen days serving in the armed forces or could have possibly been seen during the weekends on the racetrack.

With its exceptional rarity, large case size, and stunning dial, this vintage Rolex chronograph wristwatch certainly deserves a prominent position within the world’s finest collections.