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

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: 1942
    Reference No: 4048
    Case No: 206'360
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Manual, cal. VZ 13"', 17 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel by Rolex
    Dimensions: 35.5mm. Diameter
    Literature: For a very similar example of reference 4048, see John Goldberger's 100 Superlative Rolex Watches, page 108-109

  • Catalogue Essay

    It is believed that the reference 4048 was only produced for an extremely short period of time, with less than 100 pieces made and only in stainless steel. It was the first "Oyster" chronograph by Rolex with three subsidiary dials and with a screw back.

    The present watch has a beautifully aged silvered dial with the curved Rolex Oyster designation. The case shows minimal wear and the proportions remain intact, with sharp edges to the lugs and the "Oyster Patent" crown featuring the Swiss cross, making this example one of the rarest pieces in the Oyster chronograph family.

  • 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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Δ161

Ref. 4048
A very attractive and extremely rare stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with luminous hour markers and hands

1942
35.5mm. Diameter

Estimate
CHF60,000 - 90,000 

Sold for CHF72,500

Contact Specialist
Nathalie Monbaron
+41 22 317 81 83

Geneva Watch Auction: TWO

Geneva Auction 7 & 8 November 2015 6:30pm