Rolex - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XVI Hong Kong Wednesday, May 24, 2023 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1957
    Reference No: 4325
    Movement No: 13’833
    Case No: 280’334
    Model Name: Chronomètre "Metropolitan"
    Material: 18K pink gold
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 700, 18 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: 18K pink gold Gay Frères bracelet, max length 185mm
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K pink gold Gay Frères folding clasp
    Dimensions: 35mm diameter
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed, bracelet signed Gay Frères

  • Catalogue Essay

    A Rolex with a lean profile, straight lugs, fine engine-turned bezel cased in dashing splash of gold, this is the standard for gentlemen of the golden age of the 1950s. Marketed by Rolex as the Rolex Metropolitan, the reference 4325 is the benchmark for “the elegant businessman”. The present example is a remarkably handsome specimen of the model. Its wonderful state of preservation not only includes the crisp edges on the grooved bezel, the original engraved serial number and “MODELE DEPOSE” on the snap caseback still remains crisp which are often lost due to polishing, furthermore the hallmark on the lugs remains visible. The most jaw-dropping of all is its pink on pink configuration, cased in 18K pink gold the dial radiates a beautiful salmon dial with applied dotted indexes. Sized at 35mm, the present ref 4325 is paired with a matching gold Gay Frères bead of rice bracelet that elevate its style up a notch. Equally fitting for the gentleman suited up like Cary Grant or combed with a slick-back hair like Elvis Presley, this pink on pink Metropolitan is certainly one of the most attractive time-only wristwatch from the 50s. To our knowledge, no more than a handful of pink on pink examples have surfaced in the market making this present example a rare treat for vintage Rolex lovers.

  • 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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868

Ref. 4325
A very rare, well-preserved and attractive pink gold wristwatch with salmon dial, engine-turned bezel and Gay Frères bracelet

Circa 1957
35mm diameter
Case, dial and movement signed, bracelet signed Gay Frères

Estimate
HK$80,000 - 160,000 
€9,200-18,500
$10,300-20,500

Sold for HK$292,100

Contact Specialist

Thomas Perazzi
Head of Watches, Asia
+852 2318 2001
WatchesHK@phillips.com

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XVI

Hong Kong Auction 24 - 25 May 2023