Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces

Geneva, Nov 11, 2012

LOT 143

ROLEX REF. 2921 Rolex, ?Chronograph, Anti-Magnetique?, case No. 031821, Ref. 2921. Made in 1937. Very fine and extremely rare, stainless steel mid-sized wristwatch with oval button chronograph, register and tachometer and telemeter.

CHF 5,000 - 7,000

USD 5,300 - 7,500 / EUR 4,200 - 6,000

Sold: CHF 6,250

C. Three-body, solid, polished, stepped bezel, concave lugs. D. Matte silver with arabic and baton indexes, outer minute/seconds and 1/5th seconds divisions, subsidiary dials for the seconds and 30-minute register, outermost tachometer scale. Luminous hands. M. Cal. 432, 13??, rhodium-plated, 17 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, monometallic balance, shock absorber, self-compensating Breguet balance spring, index regulator. Dial, case and movement signed. Diam. 33 mm. Thickness 11 mm.


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3-7-01

Good

Oxidized

HANDS Original

Notes

Unknown to collectors until now, reference 2921 is seen for the fi rst time at auction. Considered to be one of the fi rst chronographs offered by Rolex as in 1937 the offi cial catalogue showed only 5 models. Slightly larger than most chronographs of that period at a diameter of 33 mm, it was only produced in steel in very small numbers. Based on a Valjoux 13''' movement, this early example is the missing link between the similar reference 2916 and 2919 who all had similar designs, namely its olive shaped pushers, round case made by the casemakers ?La Centrale?. The current example has remained in all original condition but still maintaining clean, crisp numbers on the caseback and the original patinated dial. A must have for the rare Rolex chronograph collector