Important Collectors Wristwatches, Po...
Geneva, Nov 14, 2009
LOT 350
Ref. 6085, Blue Enamel Dial Rolex, ?Oyster Perpetual, Officially Certified Chronometer?, Ref. 6085 ?Super Oyster?. Made circa 1951. Very fine and very rare, tonneau-shaped, center-seconds, self-winding, water-resistant, 18K yellow gold wristwatch with blue enamel dial and an 18K yellow gold riveted Oyster bracelet with deployant clasp.
CHF 20,000 - 30,000
USD 20,000 - 30,000 / EUR 13,000 - 20,000
Sold: CHF 37,200
C. By Genex, two-body, polished, screw-down case back, reeded graduated bezel, ?Super Oyster? non-screw down crown. D. By Stern Freres, blue enamel on gold with counter enamel, with applied hand-cut and faceted yellow gold baton indexes, outer gold border with ?pearled? or ?diamond-drilled? dot minute divisions. Yellow gold dauphine hands. M. A-260, rhodiumplated, 18 jewels, lever escapement, monometallic balance, shock-absorber, self compensating Breguet balance-spring. Dial, case, and movement signed, dial numbered 103*3106 under the counter enamel. Diam. 34 mm. Thickness 13 mm. .Approx. overall length 165 mm.
| Grading System | |
|---|---|
Grade: AAA |
Excellent |
Case: 3 |
Good |
Movement: 3* |
Good Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense |
Dial: 3-01 |
Good HANDS Original |
Notes
Two kinds of ?monochrome? enamel vintage dials are generally seen: the present type, with the Rolex crown at 12, and a larger one, with the Rolex crown under the 12 o?clock marker. The enamel dial of this watch, though monochrome, is a masterpiece in itself. By its finish, it can be determined to be from the last series of monochrome enamel dials made by Stern Frères for Rolex during the period. The outer minute dots, which look like applied gold, are in fact drilled with a specially-made diamond tool, giving a conical, high-relief effect. They are called ?pearls? and their brilliance is due to the sharp-cut cone that reflects light at 360 degrees. The indexes are hand made and the facets cut with a diamond. The maker?s signature and all other inscriptions are of pure gold powder and are produced by means of a transferring machine (décalqueuse). The blue color of this dial has a lovely depth, which Rolex no doubt intended. These dials are very rare and it is ever rarer that they have not been cracked or damaged. They are among the favorite watches of Rolex collectors. Only two or three such watches have been offered for sale by Antiquorum over the course of our 35-year history.
The ?Super-Oyster? winding crown was an attempt by Rolex to create a waterproof winding crown which did not need to be screwed down. The system itself worked, however in time the rubber seal perished and this crown type was phased out after only a few years of production.
Genex Had the same address as Gay-Frères. The Genex factory was a sub-division in which Rolex became a partner and was the main supplier for its gold cases at that time.