Important Collectors’ Wristwatches, P...

Geneva, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Du Rhône, May 13, 2007

LOT 168

Ref. 3055, Pink Gold, So-Called ?Piccolino? Rolex, ?Chronograph, Anti-Magnetique?, Ref. 3055. Made circa 1952. Very fine and extremely rare, small, 18K pink gold mid-sized wristwatch with square button chronograph, registers, tachometer and a gold-plated Rolex buckle.

CHF 16,000 - 20,000

EUR 10,000 - 12,000 / USD 13,000 - 16,000

Sold: CHF 24,780

C. Three-body, solid, polished and brushed, inclined bezel, downturned lugs. D. Cream with applied pink gold baton and dot indexes, outer minute/seconds and 1/5th seconds divisions, subsidiary dials for the seconds and 30-minute register, outermost tachometer scale. Pink gold ?dauphine? hands. M. Cal. 69, 10 1/2''', nickel-plated, 17 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, monometallic balance, self-compensating Breguet balance spring, index regulator. Dial, case and movement signed. Diam. 30 mm. Thickness 11.5 mm. Property of a Brazilian Gentleman


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3-6-01

Good

Slightly oxidized

HANDS Original

Notes

Ref. 3055. This reference was first released in the 1930s with olive button chronograph and then relaunched in the 1950s with the same reference and square button chronograph. In period advertising this reference was stated to be the smallest chronograph in the world. It was available in stainless steel at a cost of 1025 Lire or in 18K yellow or pink gold for 2000 Lire. In the same advertisement a Rolex 18K gold chronograph pocket watch was priced at 1920 Lire. Examples of this reference are illustrated in ?Rolex, Collecting Modern and Vintage Wristwatches?, by Osvaldo Patrizzi, Guido Mondani, Editore, 2006 Edition, Vol I, pp. 86 to 88; Vol. II, pp 97-100.