Rolex - The Geneva Watch Auction: NINE Geneva Saturday, May 11, 2019 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1945
    Reference No: 3525
    Case No: 386'526
    Model Name: Oyster Chronograph "Barilotto"
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 13''', 17 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Gay Frères bracelet, max length 175mm
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Gay Frères deployant clasp stamped 4.49
    Dimensions: 35.5mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed, bracelet further signed "GF"
    Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex numbered guarantee dated 1951, a copy of Dreams That Money Can Buy by John Bradshaw, a notarized letter by L. Harvey Poe, Jr. stating that the present watch is inscribed "Harvey love Libby Jan. 1951" and that it was given to him by Libby Holman when they were vacationing in Switzerland and Wikipedia article regarding Libby Holman.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Preserved in excellent overall condition and offered with its original guarantee, this reference 3525 presents an extremely compelling and interesting story. Most notably, the caseback is signed "Harvey Love Libby Jan 1951". The watch was gifted from the actress Libby Holman, to L. Harvey Poe, Jr. in 1951. A notarized letter from L. Harvey Poe, Jr. states "this was given to me as a gift for my 35th birthday by Libby Holman, the American singer and actress, while I was studying at Oxford and she was living in France...she purchased it while we were vacationing in Switzerland."

    An actress, model and singer, Libby Holman achieved notoriety for her daring and provocative life, which is presented in the biography Dreams that Money Can Buy by Jon Bradshaw. Chapter 49 of the book is particularly interesting, as it recounts Holman's sojourn in France and directly corresponds with Poe's letter. In 1951, Holman embarked on an affair with an Oxford student and stayed "at the home of one of [his] friends, another Rhodes scholar". Indeed, research reveals that L. Harvey Poe, Jr. was a Rhodes scholar at Oxford. It is most likely that Holman bought this timepiece for the aforementioned gentleman who hosted her in Oxford.

    The watch itself is a very interesting specimen. Produced late into reference 3525's production period, it displays "Rolex Oyster Chronographe" in three lines of straight text rather than "Rolex Oyster" in curved text. One can surmise that given the 6 years between the date of manufacture and its sale date, the present watch case was kept as stock for a number of years after the reference ceased production. Rolex then assembled the watch with a dial that was in the style of the beginning of the 1950s before its sale in 1951.

    Offered with its original numbered guarantee dated 1951 indicating the present watch was sold at W. Rösch in Bern, this watch is preserved in impressive condition, with full proportions. The accompanying letter states that this watch was serviced only once throughout its lifetime, and the condition of this timepiece is testament to Poe's words. The dial is preserved in excellent condition, with hardly any signs of aging. It is even accompanied by a wonderfully preserved Gay Frères bracelet stamped for 1949.

  • 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. 3525
A highly rare and interesting stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with bracelet and original guarantee, given to L. Harvey Poe, Jr. from actress Libby Holman

Circa 1945
35.5mm Diameter
Case, dial and movement signed, bracelet further signed "GF"

Estimate
CHF60,000 - 90,000 
€53,400-80,200
$60,400-90,700

Sold for CHF102,500

Contact Specialist
Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Sale
+ 41 79 637 1724
aghotbi@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: NINE

Geneva Auction 11-12 May 2019