From 1947 until 1962, Rolex produced a series of rare and innovative triple calendar chronograph wristwatches. These included the references 4767, 5036, 3036 and 6236. Produced in very limited numbers, they were made in yellow and pink gold, as well as stainless steel.
Initially known as the Dato-Compax, today they are more generally referred to as the "Jean-Claude Killy", named after the three-time French Olympic ski champion, who was often seen wearing a model 6236 like the present timepiece and it remains the most complicated movement ever made by Rolex.
Over the course of the model’s 15 years of production, Rolex modified both the case and dial for a more refined, cleaner look. With the reference 6236 being the final model of the series, Rolex modified it into three-piece case, with a larger, more prominent bezel. There were also subtle changes on the dial variation used in 6236 depending on which market and year it was produced.
The present example is extremely well-preserved with a beautiful dial highlighted by the outer blue calendar ring with closed 6 and 9 numerals and embossed Rolex crown at the 12 o’clock position, which are found at the later series of the production.
The current dial configuration with polished baton indexes also known as small ‘bullets’ due to the short indexes have aged gracefully with clean subdials, with no sign of restoration on the dial, it presents unmolested graphics and fully original print which have aged to an extremely attractive vanilla hue. The dial surface has also acquired patina granting to it a ‘ivory’ color which enormously boosts the look and attractiveness of this remarkable timepiece. Based on the research, This is possibly the only known example with a dial featuring short 'bullet' steel indexes that has no luminous on the dial and handset.
Coming from an important collector, An absolute trophy watch for the most discerning connoisseurs seeking rarity, history and mechanical complexity to own one of the most prestigious watches ever made by Rolex.
Jean-Claude Killy
The best and fastest way to learn a sport is to watch and imitate a champion.’ Famously said by the Jean-Claude Killy himself, he was set to conquer the Alpine Skiing domain.
A French Skier, who became a reckoning force in men’s international Alpine Skiing in late 1960, Winning his first European Champion in 1965, following by winning the first world cup in 1967 and at the peak of his skiing career, Jean-Claude Killy showed the world what it takes to be a champion with his skiing prowess that allows him to bag gold medals in all three Alpine racing in 1968 during Grenoble Winter Olympics becoming the 2nd man to get a triple Apline Skiing Gold champion in the history of Olympic.
Being the greatest skiers in history, Jean-Claude Killy is also an ambassador and serving as a member of the board of directors in Rolex.
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.