Rolex - The Geneva Watch Auction: SEVEN Geneva Saturday, May 12, 2018 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1946
    Reference No: 3525
    Case No: 386'289
    Model Name: Oyster Chronograph “Bariletto”
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 13’’, 17 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel expandable Rolex Oyster bracelet, max length 185mm
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex folding clasp
    Dimensions: 35mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed
    Literature: A similar example of a reference 3525 in steel with a matte pink dial is illustrated in 100 Superlative Rolex Watches by John Goldberger, p. 102. Further examples can be seen in I Cronografi Rolex - La Leggenda by Pucci Papaleo Editore, pp. 162-192.

  • Catalogue Essay

    A milestone wristwatch within Rolex's storied legacy of chronographs, the reference 3525 was launched in 1939 and remained in production for less than 10 years. Produced in yellow gold, pink gold, stainless steel, or the combination of stainless steel and yellow gold, the reference 3525 was Rolex's very first chronograph wristwatch to be housed in an Oyster case - equipped with a water resistant screw down case back along with screw down crown.

    This late-production example, evidenced by the serial number between the lugs, retains its original 'Brevet' Oyster crown and is in overall wonderful condition. The dial in particular attracts attention, with a rosé hue - not quite pink, not quite champagne, but some sublime shade in between. The case is exceptional in its own right and in our view may have never been polished, which is quite a feat considering its age.The brushed finishing of the stainless steel case, with its wide, flat bezel, harmonizes well with the color of the dial and the contrasting, bold hands and numerals. The multi-scale dial, with black print for the minute track, sub-dials ,and tachymeter scale, and blue for the telemeter scale, remains sharp and legible. A remarkably well-preserved example for the connoisseur.

  • 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. 3525
An extremely rare and highly attractive stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with salmon dial, tachymeter, telemeter scales and bracelet

Circa 1946
35mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed

Estimate
CHF100,000 - 200,000 
€85,700-171,000
$106,000-212,000

Sold for CHF206,250

Contact Specialist
Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Sale
+41 22 317 81 81
aghotbi@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: SEVEN

Geneva Auction 12-13 May 2018