Rolex - The New York Watch Auction: SIX New York Saturday, June 11, 2022 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: 2020
    Reference No: 126711CHNR
    Case No: Q1’567’312
    Model Name: GMT-Master II, “Root Beer"
    Material: Stainless steel and 18K Everose Gold
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 3285, 31 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel and 18K Everose Gold Rolex Oyster bracelet, max length 205mm
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel and 18K Everose Gold Rolex deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 40mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement, and clasp signed.
    Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex International Guarantee card dated July 9th, 2020, green leather Rolex presentation box, Rolex hang tags, product literature and presentation box.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Rolex’s GMT-Master was one of the most revolutionary timepieces available when it was first released in 1955. Introduced at the dawn of the “Jet Age” and developed in collaboration with Pan-Am airlines, it featured an historic innovation that permitted travelers to simultaneously tell time at both their “home” and “local” destination. The GMT-Master evolved over the decades with design changes including the use of a metallic bezel in place of the fragile, first-generation Bakelite bezel and the addition of crown guards. A major upgrade came with the introduction of the GMT-Master II in 1983, employing for the first time a quick-set hour hand that could easily be moved forwards and backwards.

    Rolex introduced the reference 126711CHNR GMT-Master II at Baselworld in 2018 and was the brand’s first endeavor to use the combination of 18K Everose gold and stainless steel-dubbed by Rolex as "Everose Rolesor” for the GMT-Master II. The two-tone reference 126711CHNR is nicknamed “Root Beer” due to its resemblance to the two-tone, steel and gold vintage Rolex GMT-Master model 1675 with the same moniker. The roots of the “Root Beer” GMT hark back to 1963, when the first two-tone Rolex wristwatches with brown dials were offered in the market.

    The present example is offered in new old stock condition and accompanied with all its original accessories. The GMT-Master is so cherished by watch collectors and enthusiasts that sixty-eight years after it was first introduced, it remains one of Rolex’s top selling wristwatches. This “Root beer” from 2021 presents an excellent opportunity to own one of these exceptional two-tone models.

  • 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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140

Lot offered with No Reserve

Ref. 126711CHNR
A brand new, fine, and attractive stainless steel and pink gold dual time wristwatch with date, brown ceramic bezel, bracelet, guarantee and presentation box

2020
40mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement, and clasp signed.

Estimate
$10,000 - 20,000 
CHF10,000-19,900
€9,600-19,200
HK$78,500-157,000
S$14,000-27,900

Sold for $27,720

Contact Specialist

Paul Boutros

Head of Watches, Americas

+1 (212) 940-1293

WatchesNY@Phillips.com

 

Isabella Proia

Head of Sale, New York

+1 (212) 940 1285

iproia@phillips.com

The New York Watch Auction: SIX

New York Auction 11-12 June 2022