Rolex - The New York Watch Auction: XI New York Saturday, December 7, 2024 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1953
    Reference No: 6036
    Case No: 944'085
    Model Name: Dato-Compax
    Material: 18K yellow gold
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 72C, 17 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: 18K yellow gold Gay Frères rope bracelet
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold folding clasp, signed Gay Frères and stamped “3.52”
    Dimensions: 35mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, and movement signed. Bracelet signed Gay Frères.
    Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex green wallet and Rolex guarantee.
    Literature: Examples of reference 6036 are illustrated in I Cronografi Rolex - La Leggenda by Pucci Papaleo, pp. 380 - 401.

  • 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 or pink gold.

    Oftentimes, the delicate characteristics of these Killy dials become victims to age and humidity; this is not the case for the present reference 6036. Fitted with a stunning, two-tone “no-lume” dial, it displays alternating grené ivory and silvery finishes, taking on a warm champagne hue utterly harmonious with that of the gold mirrored numerals, case, and bracelet. A period-correct and rare Gay Frères bracelet comprising sinuous fitted links of twisted ropes further enhances its aesthetic.

  • 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
An extremely attractive and well-preserved yellow gold triple calendar chronograph wristwatch with two-tone dial and Gay Frères bracelet

Circa 1953
35mm Diameter
Case, dial, and movement signed. Bracelet signed Gay Frères.

Estimate
$120,000 - 240,000 
CHF106,000-211,000
€112,000-225,000
HK$933,000-1,870,000

Sold for $152,400

Contact Specialist

Paul Boutros
Deputy Chairman, Watches, 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: XI

New York Auction 7 - 8 December 2024