Rolex - Rolex Milestones: 38 Legendary Watches That Shaped History Hong Kong Sunday, November 27, 2016 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1942
    Reference No: 4062
    Case No: 63’204
    Material: Stainless steel and pink gold
    Calibre: Mechanical, 13’’’ Cal. VZ, 17 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel and pink gold Rolex rice-grain bracelet, 177 mm. maximum length
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex folding deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 36 mm. diameter
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed, dial further signed Varini Locarno
    Literature: For another example of a reference 4062, please see Pucci Papaleo’s I Cronografi Rolex - La Leggenda, page 140.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Reference 4062 was produced from 1942 until approximately 1963. The model was cased in a variety of metals, ranging from yellow gold, pink gold, stainless steel, to stainless steel and gold combinations. The reference sometimes features a ribbed band, giving the watch a very unusual appearance compared to its peers. Square pushers furthermore compliment the thin and elegant case.

    John Goldberger's Opinion

    Produced during the middle of reference 4062’s lifespan, this example is very rare due to a number of reasons. Most strikingly, the dial has been preserved in immaculate condition. One would expect a watch, fitted with a snap-on case back to be exposed to the elements, and thus tarnished and spotted heavily. However, this pink dial is crisp despite its age, and complete with raised graphics. The Telemetre and Tachometre scales are precisely painted and slightly faded, attesting to the dial’s originality.

    Secondly, the watch is among very few examples fitted with a ribbed ‘canalé’ finish to the band and the tear-drop lugs. Most examples have finishing to the band only, or feature completely smooth lugs and band.
    Thirdly, the dial features the signature of Swiss retailer Varini Locarno at 12 o’clock. The signature adds another element of surprise, balancing with the ‘Antimagnetique’ designation beautifully.

    Finally, the stainless steel and pink gold combination makes for an incredibly attractive wristwatch, which is furthermore enhanced by the original Rolex rice-grain bracelet.

  • 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

822

Ref. 4062
A rare stainless steel and pink gold chronograph wristwatch with pink dial, tear-drop lugs and rice-grain bracelet, retailed by Varini-Locarno

Circa 1942
36 mm. diameter
Case, dial and movement signed, dial further signed Varini Locarno

Estimate
HK$400,000 - 800,000 
$50,000-100,000

Contact Specialist

Thomas Perazzi
International Department Head
+85 26 773 93 15

Rolex Milestones: 38 Legendary Watches That Shaped History

Hong Kong Auction 28 November 2016