Rolex - The Geneva Watch Auction: THREE Geneva Saturday, May 14, 2016 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: 1952
    Reference No: 6084
    Movement No: 78120, F58744
    Case No: 899'724
    Model Name: Oyster Perpetual
    Material: 18k white gold
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. A260, 20 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: Rolex pin buckle
    Dimensions: 34mm. Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

  • Catalogue Essay

    What might at first glance look like a very simple, ordinary wristwatch, is in fact an exceptionally rare and special Rolex. What makes it so interesting? Taking a closer look, one will suddenly notice the dagger shaped hour markers and Rolex coronet are not applied, but instead they are embossed and sunk beneath its surface, giving the dial fascinating depth. Then you realize that the watch features a Super Oyster crown that is not screwed down, but yet still waterproof.

    And as if being from the golden years of Rolex creativity was not enough, you find out that this particular example from 1952 is in white gold turning this watch into what one could call a unicorn. To the best of our knowledge, we cannot recall having seen another reference 6084 in this material. As discrete as it could get yet a marvel of rarity, this watch is surely an exciting find for the discerning 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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Ref. 6084
An extremely rare and well preserved white gold wristwatch with "three-six-nine" dial

1952
34mm. Diameter
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

Estimate
CHF30,000 - 50,000 
€27,500-45,900
$30,900-51,500

Sold for CHF70,000

Contact Specialist
Nathalie Monbaron
+41 22 317 81 83

The Geneva Watch Auction: THREE

Geneva Auction 15 May 2016