Rolex - The Geneva Watch Auction: SIX Geneva Friday, November 10, 2017 | Phillips

Create your first list.

Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.

  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: 1955
    Reference No: 4325
    Movement No: E90'795
    Case No: 63'425
    Model Name: Chronomètre "Metropolitan"
    Material: 18K yellow gold
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 700, 18 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: 18K yellow gold brick link bracelet, max length 185mm.
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold folding clasp
    Dimensions: 35mm. Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed
    Provenance: Mondani Collection, Antiquorum, 14.5.06, lot 100.

  • Provenance

    Mondani Collection, Antiquorum, 14.5.06, lot 100.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Featuring straight lugs and a threaded bezel, reference 4325 was marketed at the time of launch as a gentleman's watch for “the elegant businessman".

    This example features a beautiful champagne dial with stylistic silver printed Roman and baton numerals. The dial is furthermore stamped with the signature of retailer Ronchi in Milano, below the Rolex signature. In business since 1939, the shop is still an Official Rolex Retailer to this day.

    One must also pay attention to this watch's wonderful state of preservation. The threaded bezel retains crisp edges and definition, having developed oxidation and patina in places. Furthermore, there are two strong and crisp hallmarks beneath the lugs.

  • 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.

    View More Works

Δ176

Ref. 4325
A rare and very well preserved yellow gold wristwatch with champagne dial and bracelet, retailed by Ronchi Milano

1955
35mm. Diameter
Case, dial and movement signed

Estimate
CHF8,000 - 12,000 
€6,900-10,400
$8,300-12,400

Sold for CHF14,375

Contact Specialist
Alexandre Ghotbi
+41 22 317 81 89
aghotbi@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: SIX

Geneva Auctions 11 - 12 November 2017