Rolex - Geneva Watch Auction: FOUR Geneva Friday, November 11, 2016 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: 1953
    Reference No: 6202
    Movement No: 13'593
    Case No: 952'793 inside caseback stamped 1.54
    Model Name: Turn-O-Graph
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 645, 20 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster expandable bracelet, end links stamped 64, max length 195mm.
    Clasp/Buckle: Folding deployant clasp stamped 3.56
    Dimensions: 35mm. Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by fitted presentation box with outer packaging, hangtags and product literature

  • Catalogue Essay

    With its rotating bezel calibrated to 60 units, the ground-breaking “Turn-O-Graph” can be considered the starting point of Rolex’s 60-plus years of successful sport watches. The present example from 1953, the first year of the Turn-O-Graph’s production, is in stunning condition for a watch of its age. The watch appears to have never been worn since a factory service, with the Rolex sticker on the back intact and pristine. The case is crisp, with full proportions and sharp lines and edges. The rotating bezel’s edges also remain sharp and well defined. The black matte-finished dial is gorgeous, with dark beige luminous markers displaying a wonderful, almost gold colored patina. Accompanied by its original box, product literature and hangtags, this watch offers a rare combination of outstanding condition and beautiful aesthetics that is sure to satisfy the demanding connoisseur.

  • 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. 6202
An extremely well preserved stainless steel wristwatch with bracelet, box and hangtags

1953
35mm. Diameter
Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed

Estimate
CHF20,000 - 30,000 
€18,400-27,500
$20,600-30,900

Sold for CHF23,750

Contact Specialist
Alexandre Ghotbi
+41 22 317 81 89

Geneva Watch Auction: FOUR

Geneva Auctions 12 – 13 November 2016