Manufacturer: Rolex Year: 1958 Reference No: 6611B Movement No: DDN884156 Case No: 401'546 Model Name: Day-Date Material: 18k white gold Calibre: Automatic, cal. 1055B, 25 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel buckle, signed Hermès Dimensions: 36mm. Diameter Signed: Case, dial and movement signed Literature: John Goldberger, 100 Superlative Rolex Watches App
Catalogue Essay
Reference 6611 is considered as one of the rarest Day-Date models in Rolex’s history. The present example, a 6611B, is especially rare, not only because it is in white gold, but it also features an updated movement compared with the 6611, and is exceedingly rare without diamond hour markers. Introduced in 1957, it is fitted with Rolex’s automatic calibre 1055 B that incorporated a free-sprung balance wheel with a micro-stella fine adjustment for improved accuracy, while at the same time measured 0.1mm thinner than its predecessor.
The “pie-pan” dial has a very attractive pale champagne-colored patina, with the outer minute track positioned downward at a slight angle. What makes this reference particularly special is that it is the first Rolex to have the text “Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified” included on the dial at 6 o’clock.
This example is fitted with an attractive reeded bezel, and without luminous dots at the hour markers like many other variations of the Rolex Day-Date. Its leaf-shaped hands are similarly non-luminous, with black enamel used in their centres. The versatile elegance of this understated piece makes it easy to wear in casual or formal settings, making it a fantastic watch for the practical collector.
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.