Important Modern and Vintage Timepieces

New York, Mar 10, 2011

LOT 57

Rolex Beta 21 Rolex, ?Quartz?, No. 988. Sold on April 26th, 1978. Very fine and rare, heavy and large, tonneau-shaped, center seconds, 18K yellow gold quartz wristwatch with date and an integrated 18K yellow gold Rolex bracelet with concealed deployant clasp. Accompanied by original leather and wooden Oyster Quartz box, outer cardboard box, extra links, guarantee, service receipts and original receipt dated April 25th, 1978.

USD 8,000 - 12,000

CHF 8,000 - 12,000 / EUR 6,000 - 9,000

Sold: USD 16,250

C. Three-body, solid, polished and brushed, reeded bezel, geometrical- shaped hooded lugs, sapphire crystal with cyclops lens. D. Champagne with applied yellow gold baton indexes, outer 1/5th seconds/minute divisions, aperture for the date. Yellow gold baton hands. M. Cal. RE10, based Beta 21, 13 jewels, frequency of the quartz oscillator: 8192 Hz, reduced to 256 Hz by the frequency reducer. Dial, case and movement signed. Dim. 38.5 x 40.5 mm. Thickness 13 mm. Approx overall length 200 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AA

Very good
Case: 3-12

Good

Worn
Movement: 2*

Very good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 2-01

Very good

HANDS Original

Notes

Caliber Beta 21 In 1962 a group of 21 Swiss watchmakers, including Rolex, Audemars Piguet, Omega, Piaget and Patek Philippe, founded the Centre Electronique Horloger to develop an electronic wristwatch movement. The prototype of the Beta 21, 29 x 24.3 mm, 13 jewel, 8Khz quartz module was developed in 1967. In 1968 a consortium of Swiss watch manufacturers was created to mass-produce the Beta 21. The CEH designed the module and made the integrated circuit, Ebauches SA (now ETA) manufactured the mechanical parts of the movement and the quartz oscillator, and Omega produced the micro-motor driving the hands. The caliber was ready for production in 1969 and was presented at the 1970 Basel Fair. The present watch is extremely well documented with original receipt and service guarantees.