Rolex - Geneva Watch Auction: FOUR Geneva Friday, November 11, 2016 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: 1941
    Reference No: 3330
    Case No: 46'500
    Model Name: Antimagnetic
    Material: 18K pink gold
    Calibre: Manual, cal. Valjoux 22, 17 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Original Rolex lizard strap
    Clasp/Buckle: Original Rolex gilt pin buckle
    Dimensions: 37mm. Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed
    Literature: This reference is illustrated in John Goldberger's 100 Superlative Rolex Watches, p.53

  • Catalogue Essay

    References 3330 and 3335 are considered amongst the rarest and largest pre-Oyster Rolex chronographs ever produced by the firm. Produced in the early 1940s, they boasted large cases, unique for the majority of watch brands during this time period, with a diameter of 37 mm. The reference 3330 was ahead of its time, as its innovative design is much more typical for today’s market. This antimagnetic chronograph reference has increased in desirability amongst collectors due to its rarity and stunning looks. Recognizable by its over-sized twelve-hour register, a feature that was not available from other distinguished firms, and its well-proportioned case, only a handful of reference 3330s have appeared at auction in the past 15 years, underscoring this model’s utter exclusivity.
    The present reference 3330 in pink gold is breathtaking, and is without exaggeration the world’s most beautiful and best preserved example of the reference one could hope to obtain. The brutally powerful case has a superb brushed finish with arresting polished bevels on the lugs and its large flat bezel. The rare, multi-scale salmon-colored dial is flawless, and is graphically complemented by a black tachymeter scale and indexes, and enlivened with a subtle blue telemeter scale. The watch is in absolutely pristine condition, the case maintaining all its original angles and brushed surfaces, the case number and Rolex crown stamped on the case back perfectly crisp, and the arresting dial showing no signs of wear (something quite unheard of for a timepiece of this age with a non-waterproof case) – as if the watch left Rolex’s factory yesterday. Its immaculate state of preservation makes us believe that the present lot has spent most of its life protected from the natural elements, untouched in a safe. The condition, rarity, and sheer beauty of the present watch are sure to impress even the most discerning collectors of the world’s finest watches.

  • 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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ΟΣ55

Ref. 3330
An extremely rare, attractive and large pink gold antimagnetic chronograph wristwatch with salmon colored dial, tachymeter and telemeter scales

1941
37mm. Diameter
Case, dial and movement signed

Estimate
CHF300,000 - 600,000 
€275,000-551,000
$309,000-618,000

Sold for CHF598,000

Contact Specialist
Alexandre Ghotbi
+41 22 317 81 89

Geneva Watch Auction: FOUR

Geneva Auctions 12 – 13 November 2016