Rolex - Geneva Watch Auction: FOUR Geneva Friday, November 11, 2016 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: 1951
    Reference No: 6090
    Movement No: F 24'627 and 73'506
    Case No: 729'960
    Model Name: "Bombé"
    Material: 18K yellow gold
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 645, 18 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Crocodile
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Rolex buckle
    Dimensions: 32mm. Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed

  • Catalogue Essay

    The present "Bombé" reference 6090 is a superb example, fitted with a gorgeous honeycomb guilloché dial featuring the rarely seen, charismatic “Linz” retailer signature. Even more extraordinary is the fact that the retailer’s name appears below the Rolex crown, prominently displayed above the Rolex brand name and not underneath as is more typically seen.
    Linz Brothers was a Texas-based retailer, established in 1877. Joseph Linz, originally from St Louis, was a trained watchmaker who repaired watches for train conductors on the Missouri, Kansas and Texas railroads. In 1877 he settled in Texas and opened a watch and jewellery store. By the 20th century, Joseph Linz and Brother had become major Rolex dealers, allowing the firm the rare privilege to place their name in such a prominent position on the dial.

  • 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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169

Ref. 6090
A fine yellow gold wristwatch with honeycomb dial and center seconds, retailed by Linz

1951
32mm. Diameter
Case, dial and movement signed

Estimate
CHF4,000 - 8,000 
€3,700-7,300
$4,100-8,200

Sold for CHF13,750

Contact Specialist
Alexandre Ghotbi
+41 22 317 81 89

Geneva Watch Auction: FOUR

Geneva Auctions 12 – 13 November 2016