Rolex - The Geneva Watch Auction: THREE Geneva Saturday, May 14, 2016 | Phillips

The Geneva Watch Auction: THREE

Geneva Auction 15 May 2016

  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: 1950
    Reference No: 6062
    Movement No: N33'014, 10'405
    Case No: 690'035
    Model Name: "Stelline"
    Material: 18k yellow gold
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 9 3/4''', 19 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: 18k yellow gold, signed Rolex
    Dimensions: 36mm. Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed
    Literature: For another example of this reference with black "star dial" see 100 Superlative Rolex Watches, John Goldberger, pg. 144-145

  • Catalogue Essay

    Reference 6062 is one of only two models ever made by Rolex featuring a full calendar and the phases of the moon, together with reference 8171. Reference 6062 was made in the early 1950s for only a few years, and until today we have only seen examples in stainless steel, yellow gold or pink gold. The model remains to be not only one of the rarest vintage collector watches, but also amongst the most valuable.

    A large number of different dial designs and types were used during the reference’s short production run. Silvered dials were fitted with arrow, pyramid, or, very rarely, with star-shaped hour markers. The most exclusive of all dial versions are those finished in black lacquer. The most famous of this group is the Bao Dai, named after Vietnam’s last emperor and prominent owner of one of the three examples known today fitted with diamond numerals.

    Equally rare and exclusive are examples featuring a black lacquer dial with eight, five-pointed faceted stars for hour markers. It is thanks to this dial configuration that reference 6062 has received its flattering nickname “Stelline”, Italian for starlet. Another desirable feature of this watch is the absolutely correct, matching moonphase disk with black sky rather than blue. To date, only four examples are known to scholars with this configuration, and it is always a spectacular event when they appear on the auction market.

    Housed in a water-resistant Oyster case, the reference 6062 was also fitted with the “Super Oyster” crown, enhancing the watch’s ability to seal the dial and movement from the intrusion of moisture and water. The present lot is in absolutely superb condition and its black dial features period luminous material with minor imperfections, which one would expect for a watch of its time.

    In addition to the rarity of this piece, the condition is undeniably superb, with a sharp bezel and crisp numbers in between the lugs. The offering of this spectacular black dial “Stelline” reference 6062 is an event by itself, and an opportunity that the most demanding and educated collectors of vintage wristwatches should not miss.

  • Artist Biography

    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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192

Rolex

Ref. 6062
An extremely rare, highly attractive and important yellow gold triple calendar wristwatch with moonphases, and black lacquer "star-dial"

1950
36mm. Diameter
Case, dial and movement signed

Estimate
CHF500,000 - 1,000,000 
€459,000-918,000
$515,000-1,030,000

Sold for CHF905,000

Contact Specialist
Nathalie Monbaron
+41 22 317 81 83

The Geneva Watch Auction: THREE

Geneva Auction 15 May 2016