Rolex - The Geneva Watch Auction: XIII Geneva Saturday, May 8, 2021 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1952
    Reference No: 6024
    Case No: 866'826
    Model Name: Oyster
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Manual, 17 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex buckle
    Dimensions: 36mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

  • Catalogue Essay

    This charming stainless steel reference 6024 displays an attractive black lacquer explorer dial, with the numbers 3, 6, 9 applied. As a further point of interest, the dial also displays luminous dots and hands, giving the timepiece a charming vintage appearance. Furthermore, the black lacquer remains glossy and vibrant, which is quite remarkable, given the age of the timepiece. The case is preserved in equally excellent condition, with very crisp and visible numbers between the lugs.

    Such well-preserved examples hardly appear on the market, no less in such a charming configuration.

  • 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. 6024
A highly rare and attractive stainless steel wristwatch with black lacquer "explorer" dial and center seconds

Circa 1952
36mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

Estimate
CHF5,000 - 8,000 
€4,500-7,300
$5,400-8,700

Sold for CHF47,880

Contact Specialist

Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Watches, Continental Europe and the Middle East

41 79 637 1724
aghotbi@phillips.com

 

 

The Geneva Watch Auction: XIII

Geneva Auction 8 - 9 May 2021