Rolex - The Geneva Watch Auction: XVIII Geneva Friday, November 3, 2023 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1953
    Reference No: 6062
    Movement No: 00084 and N32721
    Case No: 942'653
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 10 172’’’, 18 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex buckle
    Dimensions: 36mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

  • Catalogue Essay

    Launched at the Basel fair in 1950, reference 6062 was the first automatic wristwatch with date and moonphases to be housed in a waterproof case made by Rolex. Cased in stainless steel, yellow gold and pink gold, the model was fitted with a number of dial variants.

    Reference 6062 is one of two Rolex models to feature a triple calendar complication with a moon phase complication. While reference 6062 features a screw down Oyster caseback, reference 8171 features a snap-on caseback. Agreed between the world's best Rolex connoisseurs as being quite likely the best preserved stainless steel reference 6062 to surface on the market in recent years, this timepiece is an absolutely exceptional specimen. Displaying completely original lines, curves, and finishes, it best demonstrates the genesis and factory specifications of this mythical reference.

    Featuring Arabic numerals at 3 and 9 o'clock, it features an exceptional two-tone finish, with an ivory grené outer ring, providing great contrast and depth to the watch. The angled date and day apertures demonstrate the dial's originality, along with the sharp track where the moonphase aperture meets the rim of the subsidiary dial. The outer date ring, too, is correct. The printing displays an inky blue hue which one would expect on an original example. The font is correct, with characteristic "open 6 and 9s". Considering the watch is over sixty years of age, it is remarkable that the dial has not been spotted or tarnished. This example remains free of noticeable imperfections. This is partly due to the fact that this is a non-lume dial, meaning that over time that no signs of burn, degradation or tarnishing could be had on the surface of the dial.

    This timepiece is an absolutely exceptional specimen. Preserved in unpolished condition, the case is a sight to behold. The numbers between the lugs are also incredibly crisp. Displaying completely original lines, curves, and finishes, it best demonstrates the genesis and factory specifications of this mythical reference. Even the waterproof Oyster caseback still bears "Modele Depose" and "Registered Design" on the outside case back, interspersed with a curved rectangular design. Even the inside caseback does not display any service marks of any kind. Furthermore, the timepiece retains its original Brevet crown. All these elements lead us to believe that the watch has seen very little wrist time since its creation.

    During the period, stainless steel wristwatches were often bought for everyday wear. The fact is even more pertinent as stainless steel examples retailed for much less than their yellow gold counterparts, hence at the time, considered not as "valuable". Consequently, many surviving examples are not preserved in their original form, and heavily polished or corroded due to their function as a "tool watch". Barely a handful today exist is original condition, and often break world records when they do appear on the market.

    Examples like the present watch, with its full proportions and facets are completely phenomenal. The arrival on the market of the present gem should not be taken lightly or underestimated. Certain collectors may want to wait until another example shows up on the market. However, considering the spectacularly untouched condition of the present watch there will not be another similar example.

  • 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. 6062
An incredibly rare and exceptionally well-preserved stainless steel triple calendar wristwatch with moonphases and two-tone dial

Circa 1953
36mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

Estimate
CHF1,000,000 - 2,000,000 
€1,040,000-2,080,000
$1,100,000-2,200,000

Sold for CHF2,117,000

Contact Specialist

Alexandre Ghotbi
Deputy Chairman, Watches, Head of Watches, Europe, and Middle East

+41 79 637 17 24
AGhotbi@phillips.com

Tiffany To
Head of Sale, Geneva

+41 79 460 55 88
TiffanyTo@phillips.com

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The Geneva Watch Auction: XVIII

Geneva Auction 3 - 4 November 2023