Rolex - The Geneva Watch Auction: EIGHT Geneva Saturday, November 10, 2018 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1947
    Reference No: 4500
    Case No: 579’822 and 579’823
    Model Name: "Monoblocco"
    Material: 9K yellow gold
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 13'' VZ 23, 17 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: Gold plated Rolex pin buckles
    Dimensions: 35mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by fitted Rolex case
    Literature: Reference 4500 is featured in I Cronografi Rolex - La Leggenda, Pucci Papaleo Editore, pp. 206 - 221.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Launched in the early 1940s, the Rolex reference 4500 was a taste of things to come in terms of chronograph designs from the firm with the crown.

    The reference 4500 chronograph introduced an all new case style with straighter, more pointed lugs that are still found on modern Rolex Oyster models, ranging from the Datejust, to the Day-Date, to the Daytona. Prior to its introduction, Rolex had preferred the Calatrava-style lugs, with slightly curved lines. It is furthermore one of the very rare chronographs in an Oyster case to feature only two counters, doing without the hour totalizer.

    We are delighted to offer these two reference 4500 in a rare 9K pink gold case with immediately succeeding serial numbers: 579’822 and 579’823, both retailed by Serpico y Laino in Caracas, Venezuela.
    Even though the serial numbers follow one another there are very small differences in the dial design. Both models feature applied Arabic numerals at even hours, however the model with serial number ending in 22 has subdials that partly eat into the numerals 2, 4, 8 and 10 whereas this is less apparent for the model with serial number ending in 23.

    The multi-scale dial features an eye-catching blue telemeter within the black tachometer scale found along its outer circumference. The cases retain nice proportions and since they are in 9K gold, they have turned a pleasing light pink color.

    The watches are offered in their original leather Serpico Y Laino signed case adding extra glamour to an already exciting set.

  • 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.

    View More Works

161

Ref. 4500
A set of two rare and very attractive 9K yellow gold chronograph wristwatches with consecutive case numbers, offered in a joint presentation box

Circa 1947
35mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

Estimate
CHF60,000 - 120,000 
€52,800-106,000
$61,500-123,000

Sold for CHF93,750

Contact Specialist
Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Sale
+41 22 317 81 89
aghotbi@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: EIGHT

Geneva Auction 10-11 November 2018