Rolex - Geneva Watch Auction: TWO Geneva Saturday, November 7, 2015 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: 1953
    Reference No: 6062, Inside caseback stamped 6063 and then struck through by Rolex
    Movement No: N52126,09950
    Case No: 788'617
    Model Name: "Stelline"
    Material: 18k pink gold
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 9 3/4''', 19 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: 18k pink gold Rolex Jubilee, max. length 210mm.
    Clasp/Buckle: 18k pink gold folding deployant clasp, stamped 3.54
    Dimensions: 36mm. Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed
    Literature: Published in 100 Superlative Rolex Watches, by John Goldberger, pg. 142-143

  • Catalogue Essay

    To many of the world's most experienced collectors of vintage Rolex wristwatches, reference 6062 represents the pinnacle of the "crowned" firm's entire production. In fact, reference 6062 is one of only two models ever to feature a full calendar paired with the indication of the phases of the moon, together with reference 8171 (see lot 167). Reference 6062 brings the best in all possible disciplines together, starting with the signature design Oyster case with the near perfect diameter of 36 millimetres to continue with the 9 3/4''' in-house movement, and to be highlighted with a silver grain finished dial that, in terms of richness, elaborateness, and complexity is second to none.

    Reference 6062 was made only for some three years in the early 1950s, and until today we have only seen examples in stainless steel, yellow gold and pink gold. Pink gold is the rarer of the two gold versions, and the ultimate dial configuration for the pink gold examples features 8 five-pointed facetted stars for hour markers. It is thanks to this dial configuration that reference 6062 has received its flattering nickname "Stelline", Italian for starlet. In 40 years of auctions, we can hardly count more than a handful of legitimate and unrestored pink gold star-dial reference 6062, underlining this model's utter exclusivity. The present example is now offered at auction for only the second time since its making some over 60 years ago. In fact, until 2004, it was still with the family of the original owner, safely tucked away in a bank vault for years and years since the passing of the original owner. According to the family, the original owner couldn't enjoy the watch for more than only a few years, a fact that now turns into a blessing when analyzing the condition of this superb chronometer. When sold in 2004 for the first time since its original purchase over half a century earlier, it was immediately recognized by the market as possibly the best preserved and most original, rose gold "Stelline" the market has so far seen. Consequently, it was not only fiercely fought for but also acquired by one of the world's most accomplished collectors in this particular field, but also achieved a record result, more than doubling its original pre-sale estimate.

    Since 2004 the watch has not changed ownership, and has only once been removed from the bank in order to allow John Goldberger to study and photograph it for his book dedicated to the world's most beautiful Rolex watches (100 Superlative Rolex Watches, pg. 142-143). In Goldberger's book, it is shown how original and untouched the watch is starting from the original case finish, both on the top and underneath side, but equally the absolutely unrestored star-dial including the untouched luminous dots placed perfectly in between the points of the five-sided stars. The only addition to the watch during the last 11 years is a perfectly matching rose gold Jubilee bracelet, a particular effort and investment both in terms of time and money, by the current owner.

    The offering of this spectacular pink gold reference 6062 is an event by itself, and an opportunity that the most demanding and educated collectors of vintage wristwatches should not miss.

  • 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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253

Ref. 6062, Inside caseback stamped 6063 and then struck through by Rolex
A very rare, highly attractive and important pink gold triple calendar wristwatch with moonphases, star-dial and bracelet

1953
36mm. Diameter
Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed

Estimate
CHF500,000 - 1,000,000 

Sold for CHF1,265,000

Contact Specialist
Nathalie Monbaron
+41 22 317 81 83

Geneva Watch Auction: TWO

Geneva Auction 7 & 8 November 2015 6:30pm