Important Modern and Vintage Timepieces

New York, Jun 12, 2012

LOT 239

ROLEX REF. 2917 ANTIMAGNETIC CHRONOGRAPH, STEEL Rolex, Antimagnetic, case No. 031672, Ref. 2917. Made in 1937. Very fine and very rare, Art Deco, stainless steel wristwatch with stepped hooded lugs, oval two-button chronograph, 30-minute register, telemeter, tachometer and a stainless steel Rolex buckle. Accompanied by a Rolex service pouch.

USD 20,000 - 30,000

CHF 18,000 - 28,000 / EUR 15,000 - 23,000

Sold: USD 23,750

C. Three-body, polished and brushed, stepped bezel, hooded fan-shaped lugs. D. Matte silver with applied pink gold baton indexes and Arabic half-hour numerals, outer 1/5th seconds track with 5-second Arabic markers, tachometer and telemeter graduations, subsidiary seconds and 30-minute register dials. Pink gold baton hands. M. 13???, rhodium plated, 17 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, monometallic balance, blued steel Breguet balance spring, index regulator. Dial, case and movement signed. Diam. 33 mm. Thickness 12 mm


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 2

Very good
Movement: 2*

Very good

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

Very good

HANDS Original

Notes

Introduced by Rolex in 1937 and produced for a very short period, reference 2917 is distinguished by its highly stylized art deco inspired case design, oval-shaped chronograph buttons, and pre-Oyster snap on case back. It is by far one of the rarest and most unusual chronograph models ever produced by the legendary fi rm, it was only made in stainless steel, and examples rarely appear at auction. Of the known examples that have come to market, the earliest serial number is the present lot, 031672, and the latest serial number is 031703. The present lot is further distinguished by the excellent condition of the case with all stamps and serial numbers incredibly well preserved. An example of reference 2917 is featured in 1908 - 2008, 100 Years of Rolex by Franca and Guido Mondani, p. 20.