Manufacturer: Rolex Year: Circa 1945 Reference No: 3330 Case No: 50'552 Material: 18K pink gold Calibre: Manual, cal. Valjoux 22, 17 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather strap Clasp/Buckle: Gilt pin buckle Dimensions: 37mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial and movement signed
Catalogue Essay
References 3330 and 3335 are considered amongst the rarest and largest pre-Oyster Rolex chronographs ever made by the firm. Produced in the early 1940s, they boasted oversize cases, unique for the majority of watch brands during this time period, with a diameter of 37 mm.
Reference 3330 was definitely ahead of its time in terms of design and aesthetics thanks to its size and faceted lugs, anticipating a trend which will bloom in the 1950s-1970s. This antimagnetic chronograph reference has increased in desirability amongst collectors due to its rarity and stunning looks. Recognisable by its oversized twelve-hour register, a feature hardly ever found on piece from this era, and its well-proportioned case, only a handful of reference 3330s have appeared at auction in the past 15 years, underscoring this model’s utter exclusivity.
The present reference 3330 in pink gold with pink dial exudes charme and elegance. It resonates with the hearts of sport’s watch lovers thanks to its size and complication as well as with those of dress watch enthusiasts thanks to its preppy pink gold and pink case dressing. Offered in absolutely original condition, this is an unmissable opportunity for the collector of fine and historically significant vintage timepieces.
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.
