Rolex - The Geneva Watch Auction: XVI Geneva Saturday, November 5, 2022 | Phillips

Create your first list.

Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.

  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1949
    Reference No: 4767
    Case No: 584’337
    Model Name: Oyster Chronographe, "Jean-Claude Killy”, "Dato-Compax"
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 72C, 17 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Alligator
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex pin buckle
    Dimensions: 37mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

  • Catalogue Essay

    One of the most complicated models ever made by Rolex, the present lot is a representative of the famed line of Dato-compax wristwatches made by Rolex midway through the last century. Launched in 1947, the reference 4767 was Rolex’s first Dato-Compax wristwatch fitted inside a water-resistant Oyster case - making this the first "Killy" model.

    Between 1947 and 1962, a total of four different Oyster Dato-Compax variations were produced: references 4767, 5036, 6036 and 6236, all of them known as "Jean-claude Killy". Made in yellow and pink gold as well as stainless steel, the production run was extremely small, also considered that Rolex was focused on professional or technical timepieces, with very few forays in the realm of complicated pieces (in vintage times, only three are known: the Killy line, the triple calendar/moonphase line (ref. 6062 and 8171), and the split seconds model 4113. The Datocompax received the nickname the “Jean Claude Killy”, after the three-time Olympic champion who was seen wearing a reference 6236.

    The present reference 4767 in stainless steel features an incredibly attractive dial configuration: a two-tone finish, highlighting the outer date scale through a subtle grené finish in contrast with the satin center, is matched to luminous Arabic and dot numerals for an incredibly attractive final effect exuding vintage charm in spades.

    To such attractiveness one has to add the rarity of the model, which is one of the scarcest Killy references. In fact, since the founding of the department, Phillips has had the pleasure of selling only two other such models, both in November 2016, one in gold and one in stainless steel. The steel one, featuring a different dial with recessed square numerals, had a serial number intriguingly close to the present piece: 584’423, less than 100 numbers away.

    It is an honour for Phillips to be able once again after 6 years to offer an example of ref. 4767 to the most distinguished Rolex collectors in the world.

  • 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.

    View More Works

Σ103

Ref. 4767
A supremely rare and highly complicated stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with triple calendar, two-tone dial and luminous dot and Arabic numerals

Circa 1949
37mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

Estimate
CHF150,000 - 300,000 
€154,000-309,000
$150,000-300,000

Sold for CHF201,600

Contact Specialist

Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Watches, Continental Europe and the Middle East
+41 22 317 81 81
AGhotbi@phillips.com
 

Tiffany To
Head of Sale, Geneva
+41 22 317 96 63
TiffanyTo@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: XVI

Geneva Auction 5 - 6 November 2022