Rolex - The Watch Auction: One Geneva Saturday, May 9, 2015 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: 1939
    Reference No: 3536
    Case No: 44'645
    Model Name: Oyster Perpetual. "Bubble Back"
    Material: Stainless steel and pink gold
    Calibre: Automatic, 9 3/4'''
    Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel and pink gold Rolex rice grain
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel folding deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 32mm. Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed
    Accessories: Fitted presentation box signed Rolex, The World's Most Accurate Wristwatch, The Highest Honours Ever Awarded by London Paris and Geneva Observatories

  • Catalogue Essay

    The present example is an exceedingly rare two-tone version, with the case in steel and the hoods in pink gold. The black lacquer “California-dial” features luminous roman and Arabic numerals, perfectly matching with the correct Mercedes-style hands. The outer railway track as well as the writing on the dial are in a subtle tone of copper, intentionally made to match the pink gold colour of the hoods.With a wonderful and all correct seven-row steel and pink gold grain de riz (rice grain) bracelet, signed Rolex, the looks of this Bubbleback can only be described as eye catching, exclusive and irresistible..

  • 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. 3536
A very rare and attractive stainless steel and pink gold wristwatch with centre seconds, rice grain bracelet, black lacquer California dial, hooded lugs and original box

1939
Stainless steel and pink gold
32mm. Diameter
Case, dial and movement signed

Estimate
CHF20,000 - 40,000 

Sold for CHF27,500

Contact Specialist
Nathalie Monbaron
+41 22 317 81 83

The Watch Auction: One

Geneva Auction 10 May 2015 6:30pm