99
Rolex
Ref. 3525
Bariletto
A rare, attractive and very well-preserved stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with multi-scale dial, retailed by Prouds
Full-Cataloguing
- Chronograph
- Reference 3525 was Rolex’s very first chronograph wristwatch to be housed in an Oyster case
- This example is the early generation of Barilettos with numbers stamped on the outside caseback
- Preserved in impressive condition, the case showcases exceptional finishes
- Retailed by Prouds in Sydney - to the best of our knowledge the only reference 3525 with this retailer's signature
Please see the Archivio Pucci Papaleo digital archive record here.
A milestone wristwatch within Rolex's storied legacy of chronographs, the reference 3525 was launched in 1939 and remained in production for less than 10 years. Produced in yellow gold, pink gold, stainless steel, or the combination of stainless steel and gold metals, the reference 3525 was Rolex's very first chronograph wristwatch to be housed in an Oyster case - equipped with a water resistant screw down case back along with screw down crown.
Analysis of publicly known pieces shows that—with the exception of a few outliers—most of the production for the reference is grouped in three "batches," with serial numbers around 40,xxx–50,xxx for the first batch, then in the mid-100,000s for the second, and in the mid-300,000s for the last. The present watch has the case number and reference number punched on the outside caseback, meaning it was from an earlier batch.
The overall condition of this specimen is stunning and this watch can be defined by the exceptional condition of the case. Most notably, the two steps to the bezel—the second one extremely minute and sensitive to polishing—are exceptionally well defined with strong edges. The brushed finishing of the stainless steel case, with its wide, flat bezel, harmonizes well with the color of the dial, which has turned to a pleasing vanilla tone over time, giving charisma to the timepiece. The dial itself has a curved "Rolex Oyster" signature and appears devoid of restorations or interventions and has aged gracefully. It most notably displays the signature of the retailer Prouds in Sydney, who was, at the time a retailer for Rolex and had the privilege of stamping their name on the dials of watches. To the best of our knowledge the present watch is the only reference 3525 known on the market with this signature. An attractive rice-grain Rolex bracelet, a rarity itself, finishes off the timepiece.
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.