219
Rolex
Ref. 8171
"Padellone"
A rare and well-preserved stainless steel triple calendar wristwatch with moonphases
- Estimate
- CHF150,000 - 250,000€132,000 - 220,000$154,000 - 256,000
CHF175,000
Lot Details
- 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
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
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.
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.
Rolex
Swiss | 1905Founded 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.
Browse Maker