Cased in yellow gold, this reference 6542 is an extremely compelling example. It most notably displays a dark burgundy dial with an additional luminous dot at 6 o'clock known as an "exclamation" mark. Scholars hypothesize that this signifies a lower radium reading. Closer examination of this timepiece reveals a bezel that does not show any signs of radium. One can thus come to the conclusion that the watch went back to the Rolex workshops in the early 1960s, where the bezel and dial were upgraded to comply with the then health standards.
The case is preserved in spectacular condition, with sharp finishes on the top of the lugs. The bevels are present, and there is barely any surface wear throughout the watch. The end links are stamped 80, which is correct for this timepiece. The clasp is stamped for the third quarter of 1959, which corresponds with the year of manufacture. This timepiece has most notably appeared on the market twice, both times soaring past its low estimate with a final price of 159,000CHF in 2010, and 197,000CHF in 2013 - both very high prices for the era, attesting to the market's support and recognition of this watch's quality.
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.
