Reference 6036 replaced its predecessor, reference 5036, in 1951. Named after champion sportsman and Rolex ambassador Jean-Claude Killy, the ‘Killy’ is the only Rolex Oyster model to feature a full calendar and chronograph complication. It is the third representative of arguably the most complicated vintage Rolex line of timepieces, which is now known as “Datocompax” or, more famously, “Jean-Claude Killy”. The model is preceded by two other Killy iterations - ref. 5036 (launched in 1948) and ref. 4767 (launched in 1947) - and succeeded by ref. 6236, all four of them sporting very similar aesthetics and differing mainly for technical updates. It is worth noting the existence also of ref. 4768 - produced alongside ref. 4767 - sharing the same complications as the four Killy models but lacking an Oyster case, and thus its classification as a Killy is somewhat debated.
The reference was typically cased in stainless steel. Yet, for their most discerning clients, Rolex also offered the model in yellow gold, steel and gold combinations, and most exclusively, in pink gold.
The present example is a superlative example, with a beautiful case and crisp hallmarks. The numbers are crisp between the lugs and the dial has changed to a beautiful ivory hue. The luminous dots are also round, intact, and have aged with warm patina
An incredibly important watch, the present watch is furthermore forever preserved in literature, being published in Master Rolex by Guido Mondani Editore, pages 66 and 67.