Rolex - The Geneva Watch Auction: EIGHT Geneva Saturday, November 10, 2018 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1950
    Reference No: 8171
    Movement No: 56'838
    Case No: 686'171 and 190
    Model Name: "Padellone"
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 10 1/2''', 18 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex buckle
    Dimensions: 38mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

  • Catalogue Essay

    Proudly displaying a generous 38mm case, reference 8171 is known as the "Padellone" or large frying pan due to its large case size - an incredibly unusual design for the 1950s. It is slightly larger than its waterproof Oyster sibling, reference 6062. Most interestingly, both models were produced for a very short period in the early 1950s. It is a mere fantasy for many collectors to acquire even one of these watches in complete and original condition. Its rarity, coupled with design purity, has garnered reference 8171 a cult-like following.

    The present watch boasts a strong and crisp case, clearly displaying the Rolex coronet and case numbers on the case back. Most existing reference 8171s today are either worn or heavily polished, making this example incredibly rare. The dial is in equally charming and unrestored condition, with sharp and crisp apertures at 12 o'clock.

    Very rarely do appealing examples like the present timepiece come to the market.

  • 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. 8171
A rare and well-preserved stainless steel triple calendar wristwatch with moonphases

Circa 1950
38mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

Estimate
CHF150,000 - 250,000 
€132,000-220,000
$154,000-256,000

Sold for CHF175,000

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

The Geneva Watch Auction: EIGHT

Geneva Auction 10-11 November 2018