Important Collectors Wristwatches, Po...

Geneva, Nov 14, 2009

LOT 346

Ref. 6100, "Caravelle" Cloisonne Dial Rolex, Oyster Perpetual. Case No. 902833, Ref. 6100. Made in 1952. Exceptionally rare and fine, center-seconds, self-winding, water-resistant, 18K yellow gold wristwatch with cloisonné enamel galleon gold dial and a yellow gold Rolex buckle.

C. By Genex, two-body, solid, polished and brushed, screwed-down case back and crown, polished inclined bezel, concave lugs. D. By Stern Frères, cloisonne enamel on gold with counter enamel, No.3, 103*759, by Marguerite Koch, ordered from Stern Frères after designs proposed in 1949-50, representing a "caravelle" galleon at sea, with applied faceted yellow gold indexes, outer minute/seconds dot divisions on the brushed outer ring.Yellow gold dauphine hands. M. Cal. 9 3/4''', rhodium-plated, 18 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, monometallic balance, shock-absorber, self-compensating Breguet balance-spring. Dial, case and movement signed. Back of the dial marked by the artist and the dial-maker. .Diam. 34 mm. Thickness 13 mm.


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

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

Good

HANDS Original

Notes

This watch, with its enamel galleon dial, is amongst the most collectable of Rolex?s ?time only? watches. In the Stern Frères archives under No. 3759, "dessin no. 3", it can be seen that this dial was commissioned by Rolex and made by Mlle Marguerite Koch, who was paid 85 Francs for it. The dial was then sold to Rolex for 160 Francs. The same ledger reveals that Stern Frères delivered only three "caravelle"dials, all of which were executed by Mlle Koch. This watch, with its enamel dial deîcting a ship in full sail, is amongst the most collectable of Rolex's "time only" watches. Additionally, this is only the second example of a reference 6100 to have passed through these rooms since Antiquorum's first auction 35 years ago.
Marguerite Koch An enameler specializing in the cloisonné technique, she was one of Stern Frères' favorite artists. She made caravelle and coat-of-arms dials for Rolex and Vacheron Constantin, as well as the famous exotic Gauguin dials for Patek Philippe. She worked for Stern from the late 40?s to the 1960?s.
Genex Had the same address as Gay-Frères. The Genex factory was a subdivision in which Rolex became a partner and was the main supplier for its gold cases at that time.
On August 3, 1492, Christopher Columbus left on his famous voyage of discovery with three ships : the Santa Clara (later nicknamed the Nina), the Pinta, and the Santa Maria. The Santa Maria was the largest of the three ships. She was built of pine and oak, carried 40 men, and and served as the flagship during Columbus's expédition. The Santa Maria and the Caravelles are often depicted as majestic galleons at full sail crossing the ocean. It is an image that has inspired many enamel artists