161Δ
Rolex
Ref. 4048
A very attractive and extremely rare stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with luminous hour markers and hands
- Estimate
- CHF60,000 - 90,000
CHF72,500
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- Rolex
- Year
- 1942
- Reference No
- 4048
- Case No
- 206'360
- Material
- Stainless steel
- Calibre
- Manual, cal. VZ 13"', 17 jewels
- Bracelet/Strap
- Leather
- Clasp/Buckle
- Stainless steel by Rolex
- Dimensions
- 35.5mm. Diameter
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
It is believed that the reference 4048 was only produced for an extremely short period of time, with less than 100 pieces made and only in stainless steel. It was the first "Oyster" chronograph by Rolex with three subsidiary dials and with a screw back.
The present watch has a beautifully aged silvered dial with the curved Rolex Oyster designation. The case shows minimal wear and the proportions remain intact, with sharp edges to the lugs and the "Oyster Patent" crown featuring the Swiss cross, making this example one of the rarest pieces in the Oyster chronograph family.
The present watch has a beautifully aged silvered dial with the curved Rolex Oyster designation. The case shows minimal wear and the proportions remain intact, with sharp edges to the lugs and the "Oyster Patent" crown featuring the Swiss cross, making this example one of the rarest pieces in the Oyster chronograph family.
Literature
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