Important Collector's Watches, Pocket...

Geneva, Nov 11, 2007

LOT 115

Ref. 2508 Military Type Rolex, ?Chronographe?, case No. 040881, Ref. 2508. Made in 1939. Very fine and rare large stainless steel wristwatch with square button chronograph, register, black dial and a stainless steel Rolex buckle.

CHF 25,000 - 30,000

EUR 15,000 - 18,000 / USD 21,000 - 25,000

C. Three-body, polished, flat bezel, concave lugs. D. Black with luminous Arabic numerals, outer minute and fifths of a second divisions with Arabic five minute/seconds numerals, subsidiary seconds and 30-minute register dials. Luminous yellow gold baton hands. M. 14???, 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 12 mm.


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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

The present watch is particularly rare amongst the Ref. 2508 because it has no tachometer or telemeter scales. The rare black dial is in fine unrestored condition and gives the watch a military appearance.

Ref. 2508
This chronograph, reference 2508, was first produced at the end of the 1930s in 18K yellow gold and stainless steel, with olive-shaped push-buttons, a 14''' movement and a diameter of 38 mm. After that, it was made with square push-buttons, a 13''' movement and a case that was smaller by 2 mm. The present watch has a 35 mm. case, but is still equipped with a 14''' movement.
Similar watches are published in "Rolex, Collecting Wristwatches", by Osvaldo Patrizzi, Guido Mondani Editore, Genova, 1998, pp. 296-297.