Rolex - The Geneva Watch Auction: THREE Geneva Saturday, May 14, 2016 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: 1947
    Reference No: 4134
    Movement No: N91522
    Case No: 582'422 and 431
    Material: 18k pink gold
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 9 3/4''', 18 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: 18k pink gold brick-stone bracelet signed Rolex, max length 200mm.
    Clasp/Buckle: Folding deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 37mm. Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and clasp signed

  • Catalogue Essay

    This delightful Rolex reference 4134 is simply amazing and is very rare. Truly rare! Unusually large for its era, this watch features a timeless 1950s design that is absolutely elegant even for today’s tastes. Fitted with non-Oyster, snapback cases, watches of this reference are not water resistant, and therefore most are found with dials having suffered moisture damage.

    Incredibly, the present example is in such an immaculate condition, from its perfectly proportioned case to its untouched and flawless dial, even the inside caseback displays no prior service marks, that we can assume with little doubt that this beauty has been safely hidden in a drawer remaining unworn for most of its 65-year life. Even less common, its original, custom made Rolex brick-stone bracelet perfectly completes this unique piece. This specially designed bracelet adds pressure to the case back, providing improved resistance against dust and even moisture - a typical Rolex solution combining attractive aesthetics and practicality.

    The present watch is in the best-preserved condition that a demanding collector could hope for. With its original gold bracelet, the present lot is the most lavish, and finest example of the reference one will ever see.

  • 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. 4134
An extremely rare and most attractive pink gold wristwatch with teardrop lugs and original brick-stone bracelet

1947
37mm. Diameter
Case, dial, movement and clasp signed

Estimate
CHF25,000 - 50,000 
€23,000-45,900
$25,800-51,500

Sold for CHF85,000

Contact Specialist
Nathalie Monbaron
+41 22 317 81 83

The Geneva Watch Auction: THREE

Geneva Auction 15 May 2016