Important Collectors' Wristwatches, P...

New York, Dec 09, 2009

LOT 359

Rolex Ref. 6102 Blue Enamel Dial ?Bombay? Rolex, ?Oyster Perpetual, Officially Certified Chronometer,? Ref. 6102. Made circa 1952. Fine and very rare, center seconds, self-winding, water-resistant, 18K yellow gold chronometer wristwatch with a gold-plated Rolex buckle. Accompanied by a fitted box.

USD 20,000 - 30,000

CHF 20,000 - 30,000 / EUR 14,000 - 20,000

Sold: USD 56,400

C. Two-body, solid, polished, screw-down case back, Super-Oyster crown, shaped lugs. D. Blue enamel with applied yellow gold faceted baton indexes, outer minute/seconds divisions on a plain champagne reserve. Yellow gold dauphine hands. M. Cal. 645, rhodium-plated, oeil-de-perdrix decoration, 18 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, Superbalance balance timed in 6 positions, shock absorber, selfcompensating Breguet balance spring, index regulator. Dial, case and movement signed. Diam. 33 mm. Thickness 13 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent

Case: 3

Good

Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense

Dial: 2-01

Very good

HANDS Original

Notes

Also found on References 6085,6285 and 6100, Rolex enamel dials (in green and blue and sometimes depicting scenes) are extremely rare and collectible; those with the Bombay case are particularly scarce. To the best of our knowledge this watch is the first of its kind to be offered for auction at Antiquorum. The enamel dial, though monochrome, is a masterpiece in itself. Its finish shows it is from the last series of monochrome enamel dials made by Stern Frères for Rolex. The outer minute dots, which look like applied gold, are in fact drilled with a special 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 inscriptions, of pure gold powder, are produced by a transfer machine (décalqueuse). The blue dial has a lovely depth.