製造商: Rolex 年份: Circa 1951 型號: 8171 機芯編號: 20’548 錶殼號碼: 714’038 型號名稱: “Padellone” 材料: 18K yellow gold 機芯: Automatic, cal. 10 1/2”’, 18 jewels 錶帶/ 錶鏈: Leather 錶扣: Gilt Rolex pin buckle 尺寸: 38mm diameter 簽名: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
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Nicknamed the “Padellone” due to its unusual and large case dimension with a design that mimics the shape of a large frying pan, the Rolex ref. 8171 triple calendar wristwatch is with no doubt one of the most coveted Rolex references to have ever been released. Introduced in the early 1950s, the ref. 8171 together with its waterproof Oyster counterpart ref. 6062, were the only two vintage triple calendar wristwatches with moon phases ever produced by Rolex, and only for a short time.
Remarkably preserved in its original state, the present example encased in 18K yellow gold is surely a phenomenal specimen of the reference as it is untouched, unrestored and boasts a heavily patinated two-tone dial, giving the present ref. 8171 an exemplified vintage appeal. Furthermore, the apertures on the dial are very crisp and retains its desired bevels and edges.
The case for this present example is a fascination on its own. Preserved in an attractive overall condition, a hallmark stamped behind the bottom right lug remains crisp and deep, as well as the hallmark stamped on the caseband. The case number stamped on the caseback remains legible and the coronet stamped above is also present.
Extremely rare, it is believed that only 350 examples in yellow gold were ever produced. The present example offered in its honest state of preservation is a rare statement to bear. With a heavily patinated two-tone dial, and a crisp case with two hallmarks, the temptation is real.
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.