Rolex - Geneva Watch Auction: TWO Geneva Saturday, November 7, 2015 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: 1968
    Reference No: 6241
    Case No: 1'947'352
    Model Name: Cosmograph Daytona, "Paul Newman"
    Material: 18k yellow gold
    Calibre: Manual, 722-1, 17 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: 18k yellow gold Oyster rivited bracelet, end-links stamped 71, max. length 200mm
    Clasp/Buckle: 18k yellow gold Rolex folding deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 37.5mm. Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed, outer caseback signed Hermès

  • Catalogue Essay

    Thierry Hermès first founded Hermès in 1837 as a harness workshop in Paris. The company later expanded into travel bags, furniture and watchmaking. Hermès has preserved their impeccable reputation for almost two centuries, and remains to be the international leader in the luxury goods market today.

    As Hermès is a leading retailer, it only made sense for them to work with Rolex, a market leader in the watchmaking industry. This highly sought after Rolex Cosmograph Daytona reference 6241 features an acrylic bezel with printed tachometer and round “pump” pushers. Greatly adding to the collectability of this piece is the highly attractive “Paul Newman” black dial with gold registers and gilt writing. The combination of a black dial, with gold subsidiary dials and gold outer minute track is especially desirable, having received the catchy, “John Player Special” nickname in the collector community.

    The present example is exceptionally rare, not only because it is encased in yellow gold, but it also bears the highly desirable “HERMÈS” stamping on the outer case back. Additionally, the caseback is stamped with French gold import marks and the stamp of Rolex France. Confirmed by Hermès in Paris, this very watch was retailed by Hermès and sold on 30 November 1971.

    The double-signature adds a certain element of collectability that one cannot find in other watches, which is the wonderful duo of Hermès and Rolex working in tandem. The present example is the only one known, making it most probably unique.

    The watch retains clear stampings on the caseback, which is a treat to see nearly 45 years later. Strongly defined lugs, and a case remaining in well preserved overall condition makes this watch the ultimate trophy for discerning Daytona collectors.

  • 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. 6241
A highly attractive and probably unique yellow gold chronograph wristwatch with bracelet, retailed by Hermès

1968
37.5mm. Diameter
Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed, outer caseback signed Hermès

Estimate
CHF300,000 - 600,000 

Sold for CHF569,000

Contact Specialist
Nathalie Monbaron
+41 22 317 81 83

Geneva Watch Auction: TWO

Geneva Auction 7 & 8 November 2015 6:30pm