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

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1939
    Reference No: 3330
    Case No: 041'574
    Model Name: Chronographe Antimagnetique
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Manual, cal. Valjoux 22, 17 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless Steel Rolex pin buckle
    Dimensions: 37mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed
    Provenance: The present watch is prominently illustrated in 100 Superlative Rolex Watches by John Goldberger, pages 66 and 67.

  • Provenance

    The present watch is prominently illustrated in 100 Superlative Rolex Watches by John Goldberger, pages 66 and 67.

  • Catalogue Essay

    In today's collector market, vintage chronographs are often amongst the most desired and sought after timepieces. It is clear that the more we discover and look for early watches from the past decades, the more we have the certainty that case diameters were usually smaller - having said that, there is always a very rare exception to that rule. That rare exception is presented to you today in the form of an extremely beautiful and highly desirable oversized Rolex reference 3330 that comes in a hefty and important 37mm case diameter.

    Other than the extremely comfortable case size, the reference 3330 still has to offer many other "modern" details that have certainly been picked up throughout out the years by collectors. The "Antimagnetique" chronograph showcases perfectly proportioned subdials in a tri-Compax layout, large flat bezel and square buttons. The beautiful multiscale dial on this Rolex reference 3330 features a blue Telemetric scale and black Tachymeter scale. Being from the 1930's, this timepiece is a “pre-Oyster” chronograph and is fitted with a Valjoux caliber 22.

    The present example, in excellent overall condition, certainly deserves to be considered a grail in the realm of highly desirable vintage Rolex chronographs. This timepiece definitely stands out thanks to its crisp reference and case numbers stamped on the case back. The lugs and bezel retain sharp, strong edges, and the case is complete with its original crown and rectangular pushers in place. The condition, rarity, and beauty of the present watch is sure to impress even the most discerning collectors of the world’s finest watches.

  • 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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Σ105

Ref. 3330
An extremely rare, fascinating and large stainless steel antimagnetic chronograph wristwatch with luminous baton and arabic numerals, tachometer and telemeter scales

Circa 1939
37mm Diameter
Case, dial and movement signed

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

Sold for CHF138,600

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