Important Collectors' Wristwatches, P...
Geneva, May 08, 2010
LOT 467
Rolex Ref. 4048, ?Barilotto? from the original owner. Rolex, ?Oyster Chronographe Antimagnetique?, Ref. 4048. Case No. 206342. Retailed by Bucherer, Lugano, and sold on March 11, 1946. Extremely fine and exceptionally rare, water-resistant, tonneau-shaped, antimagnetic stainless steel wristwatch with round button chronograph, registers, black dial with gilt telemeter and tachometer scales. Accompanied by the original guarantee, the original Bucherer invoice, the original user instruction paper, and military documents.
CHF 115,000 - 160,000
USD 110,000 - 150,000 / EUR 80,000 - 110,000
C. Two-body, polished and brushed, rounded bezel, screwed-down case back and crown, concave lugs. D. Black with applied gold baton indexes and Arabic 12, subsidiary seconds, 30-minute and 12-hour register dials, outer gilt fifths of a second scale and radial Arabic five minute/second numerals, outer tachometer and telemeter graduations. Gold Baton hands. M. 13''', 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 15 mm.
| Grading System | |
|---|---|
Grade: |
|
Case: 3 |
Good |
Movement: 3* |
Good Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense |
Dial: 3-17-01 |
Good Slightly spotted HANDS Original |
Notes
The present watch is exceptional because it not only retains the original numbered and dated Rolex factory guarantee, numbered and dated Bucherer, Lugano guarantee, original instructions and sales receipt, but its purchase history may also be traced directly through the U.S. army records of the original owner ? Robert J. Ferguson of the Third United States Army who purchased the watch from Bucherer, Lugano on March 11th, 1946 for 360 Francs. Robert Ferguson was approved for seven days leave from duty between 10th March to the 19th March 1946 for the purpose of taking tour MR-78 of Switzerland and Italy. The tour left Munich on 10th March and arriving via Buchs, Switzerland in Lugano the same evening. The tour spent two days in Lugano and it was on the first day, 11th March, that Robert Ferguson made the purchase of his Rolex watch from Bucherer. The tour then departed Lugano on 12th March and arrived in Rome on 13th March ? a U.S. Army Rest Center pass for Rome is include in this lot. The party returned to Munich on 19th March. The original orders by Lieutenant General Truscott and Major Young granting permission for leave to Robert Ferguson are also included with the lot, one with border control stamps for Buchs and Chiasso.