Manufacturer: Rolex Year: Circa 1945 Reference No: 3525 Case No: 363’367 Model Name: Oyster Chronograph “Monoblocco” Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Manual, cal. 13’’, 17 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel buckle Dimensions: 35 mm diameter Signed: Case, dial and movement signed Literature: Other examples of reference 3525 are illustrated in 100 Superlative Rolex Watches by John Goldberger, pp. 96-107, and in I Cronografi Rolex - La Leggenda, Pucci Papaleo Editore, pp. 162-192.
Catalogue Essay
Brought to the world in 1939, the ref. 3525 was Rolex’s very first chronograph wristwatch to be housed in an Oyster case and featured a water resistant screw down case back as well as a screw down winding crown. The ref. 3525 was offered in yellow gold, pink gold and stainless steel, such as the present execution. The ref. 3525 has delightfully been nicknamed the “Monoblocco” by Italian collectors, in reference to the fact that the entire case including the lugs and bezel were manufactured in “one block” with the exception of the screw-down caseback.
Likely the most awe-inspiring feature, the black glossy dial of the present watch impresses its beholders with a stunning tone which contrasts beautifully with the gilded indexes and scales. The brushed finishing of the stainless steel case, with its flat, wide bezel, matches well with the overall design of the dial. The multi-scale dial with gilded print remains stunning and sharp. The present wristwatch is undoubtedly a fascinating and highly collectible piece of Rolex history.
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.