Rolex - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: TWO Hong Kong Monday, May 30, 2016 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: 1940
    Reference No: 3675
    Case No: 042'108
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Mechanical, 18 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Black leather strap
    Dimensions: 37.5 mm. diameter
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed

  • Catalogue Essay

    Vintage Wristwatches
    Property from An Important Asian Collection

    Curated over many years, the following collection pays tribute to the vintage wristwatch and includes some of the most iconic and rarest models found on the market today. Particular attention and thought has been applied when selecting the rarest models for this collection.

    Highlights range from a Cartier 'Large Oval' with Cartier certificate and an uber rare platinum Day-Date, to a nice selection of DateJusts and a fabulous group of incredibly rare Rolex hard enamel wristwatches. Phillips is honored to represent this collection and is privileged to discover the following watches.

    At the time of production during the 1940s, reference 3675 was a true anomaly due to its oversized 37.5 millimeter diameter case. The reference is incredibly rare to come by, and examples fitted with a pink dial hardly appear on the market. The present watch is preserved in excellent condition.

  • 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

193

Ref. 3675
A rare stainless steel oversized wristwatch with pink dial

1940
37.5 mm. diameter
Case, dial and movement signed

Estimate
HK$40,000 - 60,000 

Sold for HK$237,500

Contact Specialist

Thomas Perazzi
Head of Watches, Asia
+852 2318 2001
thomasperazzi@phillips.com

Ziyong Ho
Specialist
+852 9386 2032
ziyongho@phillips.com

Jill Chen
Specialist
+852 2318 2033
jillchen@phillips.com

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: TWO

Hong Kong Auction 31 May 2016