Rolex - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: FIVE Hong Kong Monday, November 27, 2017 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1962
    Reference No: 6236
    Case No: 918'699
    Model Name: Jean-Claude Killy
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 72C, 17 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet, max. length 190mm
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 36mm diameter
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed
    Accessories: With Rolex Garantie and Rolex Superlative Chronometer Certificate both stamped by Zurich retailer Bucherer and dated July 27, 1965, original Bucherer Invoice dated July 21, 1965 detailing the purchase of the piece for 626 CHF and fitted presentation box.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Rolex is a brand that was originally, and one could say ironically, not conceived as a luxury brand, but rather as a manufacturer of accurate, reliable and sturdy professional timepieces. This is why many Rolex patents – such as the Oyster waterproof case and the rotor automatic winding system – do not concern with exotic complications, but are rather improvements of a more utilitarian nature. Thus, the production of Rolex is historically characterized by relatively uncomplicated timepieces: chronographs, antimagnetic movements, dual-time models and so on.

    The triple calendar chronograph line – exemplified by the present piece – can be considered the exception that proves the rule. In fact, at of the past century Rolex produced such timepieces in extremely limited quantities, and they remained until modern times the most complicated models serially produced by the brand.
    It is enlightening to point out that such complicated creations are still linked to the basic Rolex philosophy: both chronograph and calendar are in fact very utilitarian complications, and all the references belonging to this line, with the exception of the early reference 4768, are waterproof.
    These models are now collectively known as the “Killy”, after Olympic skier – and aficionado of the reference - Jean-Claude Killy, very much like another well-known Rolex chronograph is named after an iconic American actor.

    Reference 6236 is the final evolution of the line. Interestingly, it is the only waterproof Killy model to feature a three-piece case, and it is easily distinguishable from the others by its more prominent bezel.

    The present example is an outstanding specimen, not only because of its overall excellent condition of both case and dial, but also because it arrives to us with the original Guarantee, the Chronometer Certificate and even the original invoice. A virtually unique occurrence, it is made even more remarkable by the fact that it was retailed by the historical Bucherer retailer in Zurich, still today considered eponymous with high-end watchmaking.

  • 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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824

Ref. 6236
An important, fine and rare stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with triple calendar, luminous dial and bracelet, retailed by Bucherer

Circa 1962
36mm diameter
Case, dial and movement signed

Estimate
HK$700,000 - 1,200,000 
€76,200-131,000
$90,000-150,000

Sold for HK$875,000

Contact Specialist
Ziyong Ho
Specialist
+852 9386 2032
yong.ho@phillips.com

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: FIVE

Hong Kong Auction 28 November 2017