Rolex - The Geneva Watch Auction: THREE Geneva Saturday, May 14, 2016 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: 1957
    Reference No: 9068
    Movement No: 00049N
    Case No: 363'937 and G89
    Material: 18k yellow gold
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 1121, 18 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: 18k yellow gold Rolex integrated mesh bracelet, max length 200mm.
    Clasp/Buckle: Folding deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 36mm. Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed
    Literature: A similar piece is illustrated in Rolex - Collecting Wristwatches by O. Patrizzi, p. 76

  • Catalogue Essay

    Even though Rolex is better known for its tool watches and chronographs, they are a brand that also made some extremely elegant dress watches of which the present lot is a perfect example.

    This timepiece is in absolute pristine condition, with a never polished case and a perfectly crisp dial with superb dagger shaped indexes. The integrated mesh bracelet provides further sophistication.

    One can only speculate how the retail price of this retail model back in the 1950s compared to other references made by Rolex at the same time, but it doesn't take much imagination to conclude that one could probably have acquired several stainless steel Submariners and GMT-masters for the price of this full gold dress watch with its highly sophisticated mesh bracelet. Consequently, one comes to realize how undervalued these elegant rarities are in today's market, and how much pleasure and exclusivity they can provide to a forward looking collector.

  • 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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195

Ref. 9068
A very attractive, well preserved, and large yellow gold center seconds wristwatch with integrated mesh bracelet

1957
36mm. Diameter
Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed

Estimate
CHF6,000 - 9,000 
€5,500-8,300
$6,200-9,300

Sold for CHF10,000

Contact Specialist
Nathalie Monbaron
+41 22 317 81 83

The Geneva Watch Auction: THREE

Geneva Auction 15 May 2016