Rolex - The New York Watch Auction: NINE New York Saturday, December 9, 2023 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1950
    Reference No: 6036; inside caseback additionally stamped 6036
    Case No: 685’536
    Model Name: Oyster Chronograph Dato-Compax “Jean-Claude Killy”
    Material: 18K pink gold
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 72C, 17 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: Plated gold Rolex pin buckle
    Dimensions: 36mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement, and buckle signed.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Reference 6036 launched in 1951 and remained in production until the mid-1950s. It is the third iteration of one of the most complicated line of vintage Rolex timepieces, which is now known as the “Dato-Compax” or, more famously, the “Jean-Claude Killy.” The model is preceded by two other iterations - reference 5036 (launched in 1948) and reference 4767 (launched in 1947) - and succeeded by reference 6236, all four of them sporting similar aesthetics while incorporating technical updates. The reference 6036 was cased mostly in stainless steel, with some examples made in yellow gold and very few made in pink gold for their most exclusive clientele, of which this piece is an exceptional representative.

    Oftentimes, the delicate characteristics of these Killy dials become victims to age and humidity; this is not the case for the present reference 6036. The warmth of the case almost seems to have influenced the aging of the dial. A stunning, two-tone “no-lume” dial, it displays alternating grené ivory and silvery finishes. The case is very well preserved still exhibiting deeply punched hallmarks to the reverse of the lugs, with an attractive layer of oxidation present indicating the watch remained unworn for an extended period of time. Coming from an important American collector of vintage watches, it is a superb specimen of an already rare reference, even fitted with its original Rolex buckle.

  • 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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Ref. 6036; inside caseback additionally stamped 6036
An exquisite and extremely rare pink gold triple calendar chronograph wristwatch with two-tone dial

Circa 1950
36mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement, and buckle signed.

Estimate
$200,000 - 400,000 
CHF180,000-360,000
€187,000-374,000
HK$1,560,000-3,120,000
S$272,000-543,000

Sold for $508,000

Contact Specialist

Paul Boutros
Deputy Chairman and 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: NINE

New York Auction 9 - 10 December 2023