Important Modern and Vintage Timepieces

Geneva, Mar 27, 2011

LOT 108

Rolex Ref. 6210 ?Kew A Certificate? First Series Rolex, ?Oyster, Observatory Chronometer, Kew A Certificate?, movement No. 4157, case No. 97476, Ref. 6210. Made in only 24 examples in 1954. Very fine, extremely rare and historically important, 18K yellow gold chronometer wristwatch with an 18K yellow gold Rolex buckle. Accompanied by a copy of a 1998 letter from Rolex UK confirming the authenticity.

CHF 22,000 - 28,000

USD 22,000 - 28,000 / EUR 17,000 - 22,000

C. Three-body, solid, polished and brushed, inverted bezel, concave lugs, screwed down case back. D. Silver with applied yellow gold faceted baton indexes, subsidiary dial for the seconds, outer minute track. Luminous yellow gold dauphine hands. M. 10 ½???, ?Kew A Tested?, pink gilt, straight line lever escapement, Superbalance, self-compensating Breguet balance spring. Dial, case and movement signed. Diam. 34 mm. Thickness 10 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3-6

Good

Slightly oxidized
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 2-53-01-05

Very good

Reprinted

HANDS Original

HANDS Luminous material reapplied

Notes

Kew Observatory trials for watches Various laboratories around the world were responsible for grading and testing watches, the most stringent being the Kew (Teddington) Observatory, west of London. A standard Swiss chronometer test would last 15 days, however, the Kew test lasted 44 days. The tests consisted in observation of the watch's timekeeping in various positions and at various temperatures, with points awarded for accuracy.