Rolex - The Geneva Watch Auction: XIX featuring the Guido Mondani Collection Geneva Saturday, May 11, 2024 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1951
    Reference No: 6036
    Case No: 847'068
    Model Name: Oyster Chronograph “Jean-Claude Killy"
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 72C, 17 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel pin buckle
    Dimensions: 36mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed

  • Catalogue Essay

    From 1947 until 1962, Rolex produced a series of rare and innovative triple calendar chronograph wristwatches housed in Oyster cases, encompassing the references 4767, 5036, 6036 and 6236. The reference 4768 also bore a triple calendar chronograph complication, however in a non-Oyster case. Produced in very limited numbers, these references were made in yellow and pink gold, as well as stainless steel. Initially known as the Dato-Compax, today they are more generally referred to as the "Jean-Claude Killy", named after the three-time French Olympic ski champion and Rolex ambassador. After production of reference 6236 ceased around 1962, Rolex would never again offer a model with similar complications.

    The present, early reference 6036 bears a charismatically aged dial, resembling ivory parchment that has turned a beautiful beige hue over time. This change in color contrasts wonderfully with the blue outer date track and the stainless steel case.

    The dial’s wonderful, recessed small, silver-finished square hour markers are correct for the reference and era. It features a bright blued steel calendar hand to complement the blue outer calendar track typical for this reference. Its case is remarkably well-preserved, thick and still sharp, indicating it was worn carefully over its lifetime.

    This is an exceptional opportunity for the astute collector to gain a renowned and hallowed reference, the most complex chronograph wristwatch ever produced by Rolex.

  • 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. 6036
An attractive stainless steel triple calendar chronograph wristwatch

Circa 1951
36mm Diameter
Case, dial and movement signed

Estimate
CHF80,000 - 160,000 
€81,800-164,000
$87,500-175,000

Sold for CHF101,600

Contact Specialist

Alexandre Ghotbi
Deputy Chairman, Watches, Head of Watches, Europe, and Middle East

+41 79 637 17 24
AGhotbi@phillips.com

Tiffany To
Head of Sale, Geneva

+41 79 460 55 88
TiffanyTo@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: XIX featuring the Guido Mondani Collection

Geneva Auction 11 - 12 May 2024