The Mondani Collection of Rolex Wrist...

Geneva, May 14, 2006

LOT 272

Ref. 4048, Stainless Steel So-Called ?Monoblocco? Rolex, ?Oyster Chronographe Antimagnetic?, Ref. 4048. Case No. 206340. Made in 1942. Very fine, tonneau-shaped, water-resistant, stainless steel gentleman?s wristwatch with round button chronograph, registers, telemeter, tachometer and a stainless steel Rolex buckle.

CHF 40,000 - 60,000

EUR 26,000 - 40,000 / USD 30,000 - 45,000

Sold: CHF 64,900

C. Two-body, polished and brushed, screwed-down case back and crown, concave lugs. D. Matte silver with luminous bâton indexes and Arabic 12, subsidiary seconds, 30-minute and 12-hour register dials, outer fifths of a second scale and Arabic five minute/second numerals, outer tachometer and blue telemeter graduations. Luminous "baton" hands. M. 13''', rhodium-plated, 17 jewels, straight line lever escapement, monometallic balance, self-compensating Breguet balance-spring, index regulator. Dial, case, and movement signed. Diam. 35 mm. Thickness 14 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3-7*

Good

Oxidized

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3-8-01

Good

Slightly scratched

HANDS Original

Notes

Reference 4048 is an extremely rare model and is certainly the first chronograph with three registers and screwed-down case back made by Rolex. The reference 4500 is also called ?Monoblocco? by collectors due to the very similar case shape. This watch is illustrated in ?Rolex, Collecting Wristwatches?, by Osvaldo Patrizzi, 2001 Edition, p. 425.