Manufacturer: Rolex Year: 1938 Reference No: 3233 Case No: 038254 Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Manual Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel buckle Dimensions: 31mm. Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed Accessories: Accompanied by its original presentation box
Catalogue Essay
The present Rolex reference 3233 was launched in 1938 and was available until around 1941. This particular non-Oyster chronograph is characterized by its beautiful salmon pink dial and special case design, with the lugs hidden within the back.
A noteworthy point to mention is the lugs which are unable to be removed, as they are fixed inside the case. Therefore, it can be assumed that it is fitted with the original leather strap and original Rolex stainless steel buckle. The watch is in mint condition, still retaining its original crystal.
The retailer’s name of Verga is present beneath a crown on the dial. Romolo Verga of Milan were and still are retailers of fine Rolex watches and jewelry. There are very few Rolex watches that carry this very particular style of crown and retailer signature. It is furthermore accompanied by the original Verga Rolex box.
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.