Important Collectors’ Watches, Pocket...

Geneva, Oct 14, 2007

LOT 491

Ref. 2303, Yellow Gold ?Single Button Chronograph ? Black Dial? Rolex, case No. 16121, Ref. 2303. Made in 1935, retailed by Kerby. Very fine and extremely rare, small, 18K yellow gold wristwatch with co-axial button chronograph, registers, tachometer, black dial and an 18K yellow gold Rolex buckle.

CHF 22,000 - 27,000

EUR 13,000 - 16,000 / USD 18,000 - 22,000

Sold: CHF 51,920

C. Two-body, polished and brushed, concave lugs, pre?ssure case back. D. Black, with white painted baton indexes, outer minutes and fifth of a second track, subsidiary seconds and 30-minute registers, outermost tachometer graduation. White ?feuille" hands. M. Cal. 10 1/2''', rhodium-plated, 17 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, monometallic balance, self-compensating Breguet balance spring, index regulator. Dial, case and movement signed. Diam. 29 mm. Thickness 10.5 mm. From ?The Collection?


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3-10*

Good

Patinated

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

Good

Slightly oxidized

HANDS Original

Notes

When reference 2303 was launched it was advertised as ?the smallest chronograph in the world?. It is extremely rare with a black dial. This Reference was available in stainless steel and 18K and 14K yellow gold. A similar watch is illustrated in ?Rolex, Collecting Wristwatches?, by Osvaldo Patrizzi, 2001 Edition, pp. 390, 391.