Rolex - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XI Hong Kong Saturday, November 28, 2020 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1940
    Reference No: 3525
    Case No: 181’177
    Model Name: Oyster Chronograph “Monoblocco”
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 13”, 17 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel pin buckle
    Dimensions: 35mm diameter
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed

  • Catalogue Essay

    The Rolex Oyster Chronograph ref. 3235 was introduced to the market amidst the Second World War in 1938, and was available in yellow and pink gold, stainless steel as well as two-tone yellow gold and stainless steel. Regarded as a milestone for Rolex, the reference was the firm’s very first chronograph wristwatch to be housed inside an Oyster case, with a screw-down caseback and a screw-down “Patent Oyster” crown.

    The present example from circa 1942 according to the serial number stamped to the caseback reveals that the present example belongs to the first generation of the model, whilst later examples featured its serial numbers stamped in between the lugs. The ref. 3525 also earned its other nickname “Monoblocco” by Italian collectors as the case is made entirely out of a block of steel including the lugs and the bezel, with the exception of the screw-down caseback. Fitted with an attractive salmon dial, the present timepiece is also blessed with a tachymeter and a telemeter scale in French, which correlates nicely with the “Fab.Suisse.” signage positioned at 6 O’clock. Furthermore, the luminous material on the dial remains intact and reactive under UV light as well as the Geiger counter.

    Previously offered at auction from the descendants of the original owner, we are pleased to offer the present example for the second time preserved in the same condition as it was bought before approximately 7 years ago. Presented in attractive overall condition with a nice overall condition of the case and fitted with an attractive and desirable salmon dial, the present Rolex ref. 3525 would be the perfect timepiece to sport for the weekend cruise in a vintage Porsche 356 Speedster.

  • 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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992

Ref. 3525
An attractive and rare stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with "salmon" dial, tachymeter and telemeter scales

Circa 1940
35mm diameter
Case, dial and movement signed

Estimate
HK$380,000 - 500,000 
€41,000-53,900
$48,700-64,100

Sold for HK$504,000

Contact Specialist

Thomas Perazzi

Head of Watches, Asia
+852 2318 2001

WatchesHK@phillips.com

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XI

Hong Kong Auction 29 November 2020