Rolex - The Geneva Watch Auction: SEVEN Geneva Saturday, May 12, 2018 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1955
    Reference No: 6305
    Movement No: 45'701
    Case No: 71'001
    Model Name: Datejust
    Material: 18K pink gold
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 775, 18 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: 18K pink gold Rolex Jubilee bracelet, max length 210mm
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K pink gold Rolex deployant clasp, stamped 2.56
    Dimensions: 35mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed

  • Catalogue Essay

    The present reference 6305 is part of the early Datejust models still featuring a narrow stripped bezel. The roulette date, alternating the even numbers in red to black for uneven numbers, is another distinctive feature that unfortunately disappeared with the later generations. Launched as a Jubilee celebration, the bracelet kept this name until today. In pink gold with a pink dial, this precious example was retailed through the Cuba based jewelry Joyeria Riviera. Located in the luxury “Galiano Boulevard” in Havana, Joyeria Riviera was part of the very few retailers allowed to have their name printed on the dial underneath the Rolex and model’s name. The savvy collector will also notice that this example, produced in 1955, bears an unusual case number with only 5 digits. In 1954, having reached the highest number with 6 digits, Rolex decided to start again with number 1 knowing that scholars would differentiate a watch from the 50s’ from a piece made at the beginning of the century. In 1987, the brand introduced a letter before the case number in order to create more individual numbers.
    With its pink on pink combination allied with some typical features that are only to be seen on vintage models, the present watch seems to be willing to tell a lot of stories about its life in Havana back in the mid 50s!

  • 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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Δ241

Ref. 6305
A rare and attractive pink gold wristwatch with roulette date and bracelet, retailed by Joyeria Riviera

Circa 1955
35mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed

Estimate
CHF20,000 - 30,000 
€17,100-25,700
$21,200-31,800

Sold for CHF37,500

Contact Specialist
Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Sale
+41 22 317 81 81
aghotbi@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: SEVEN

Geneva Auction 12-13 May 2018