Rolex - Geneva Watch Auction: TWO Geneva Saturday, November 7, 2015 | Phillips

Geneva Watch Auction: TWO

Geneva Auction 7 & 8 November 2015 6:30pm

  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: 1954
    Reference No: 6305/1
    Movement No: 99'118
    Case No: 22'247
    Model Name: Datejust
    Material: 18k white gold
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. A296, 18 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: 18k white gold Rolex Jubilee
    Clasp/Buckle: White gold deployant clasp, stamped 4.55
    Dimensions: 35mm Diameter
    Signed: Dial, case and movement signed. Outer caseback engraved "Roger 1955 Ardith"
    Accessories: Accompanied by presentation box, leather envelope and hangtag

  • Catalogue Essay

    After Rolex launched the iconic Datejust in 1945, it became a long-standing pillar within the brand’s product line that remains in production today. The current reference 6305/1 was manufactured in 1954, with a number of important qualities that will be appreciated by any collector.

    Completely fresh to the auction market, this previously unknown example in white gold is one of only two known with this dial design. This watch’s level of rarity and collectability comes not only from the reference being in white gold, but also from the stunning grey dial with diamond hour markers it is fitted with.

    In between the lugs at 6 o’clock, just above the reference number, is an inscription that reads “Brevet”, which means patented in French. Made shortly after Rolex’s introduction of their patented twinlock crown, it used two rubber gaskets that allowed a water resistance rating of 100m/300ft.

    While the dial and case combination give this watch a pleasing, monochromatic look, the “roulette” date wheel adds a splash of color by alternating between red and black for odd and even dates. It is fitted with a finely reeded bezel, absolutely correct for this time period, while the 4.55 stamping on the bracelet's clasp also matches the date of manufacture.

    After over 60 years of age, this example of reference 6305/1 has remained in overall excellent condition and can be considered as one of the most collectible examples of the celebrated Datejust to appear on the market.

  • 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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153

Rolex

Ref. 6305/1
A very rare and attractive white gold wristwatch with roulette date, grey dial and diamond-set hour markers

1954
35mm Diameter
Dial, case and movement signed. Outer caseback engraved "Roger 1955 Ardith"

Estimate
CHF50,000 - 100,000 

Sold for CHF149,000

Contact Specialist
Nathalie Monbaron
+41 22 317 81 83

Geneva Watch Auction: TWO

Geneva Auction 7 & 8 November 2015 6:30pm