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

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: circa 1965
    Case No: 79412
    Material: 18k yellow gold
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 1400, 17 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: 18k yellow gold pin buckle
    Dimensions: 33mm. Length, 26mm. Average width
    Signed: Dial and movement signed. Dial and case further numbered 79412.

  • Catalogue Essay

    The present watch can be best described as a unicorn, a watch unlike any we’ve encountered before. Made in 1965, its spectacular, asymmetric case, dial, and even its buckle were designed and executed by a French goldsmith. Made during a daring era of Swiss watchmaking, when in the 1960s and 70s, brands collaborated with famous designers and artists to break away from their traditional designs. It’s an era that spawned the famous asymmetrical models designed by Gilbert Albert for Patek Philippe, the outlandish Manchettes watches by Piaget, and the asymmetrical line of watches designed by George Mazon for Longines. Full of creativity, they were designs far ahead of their time, and they found little commercial success. Very few were produced as a result, making them quite rare. We understand that the present is one of four unique design made by a French goldsmith on special request. The group of 4 watches was auctioned at Habsburg, Feldman in Geneva on October 11, 1987. The present lot, with its sculpted boomerang shape is ultra futuristic, and brings to mind space travel – even bearing resemblance to the Star Trek and Avengers logos. An intriguing and fascinating watch, it is the perfect addition to a collection of exclusive unusual shaped 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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97

An probably unique and highly unusual asymmetrical yellow gold wristwatch

circa 1965
33mm. Length, 26mm. Average width
Dial and movement signed. Dial and case further numbered 79412.

Estimate
CHF40,000 - 60,000 
€36,700-55,100
$41,200-61,800

Contact Specialist
Alexandre Ghotbi
+41 22 317 81 89

Geneva Watch Auction: FOUR

Geneva Auctions 12 – 13 November 2016