Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces
Geneva, Mar 17, 2013
LOT 530
ROLEX, REF. 1831 PLATINUM DAY-DATE, STELLA DIAL, NO. 05, ONE OF EIGHT EVER PRODUCED Rolex, Oyster Perpetual, Day-Date, Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified, case No. 5086932, Ref. 1831. Sold in 1977 to Iran. Fine and very rare, tonneau-shaped, center seconds, selfwinding, water-resistant, platinum and diamond wristwatch with stella burgundy dial, day, date and a platinum Rolex bracelet with platinum double deployant clasp.
CHF 25,000 - 35,000
USD 27,000 - 38,000 / EUR 20,000 - 28,000
Sold: CHF 206,500
C. Three-body, solid, polished and brushed, screwed-down case back and crown, bezel set with 44 diamonds, plastic crystal with cyclops lens. D. Stella Burgundy with 8 round and 2 baguette diamond indexes, outer minute / seconds divisions, apertures for the day of the week and the date. White gold baton hands. M. Cal. 1566, rhodium-plated, 26 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, monometallic balance adjusted to temperatures and 5 positions, shock absorber, self-compensating free-sprung Breguet balance spring, Microstella regulating screws, hack mechanism. Dial, case, and movement signed. DIAM. 36 mm. THICKNESS 13 mm. Approx. overall length 175mm.
| Grading System | |
|---|---|
Grade: |
|
Case: 2-8 |
Very good Slightly scratched |
Movement: 2* |
Very good Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense |
Dial: 2-01 |
Very good HANDS Original |
Notes
This story make further sense as the current owner confirmed that the watch was bought from a minister of Iran in 1983 and that the watch was originally delivered to Iran in 1977. The watch has since been kept in a safe in Switzerland unworn. This is the third known of the eight to surface to the market (No. 02 serial 5086929 and No. 04 serial 5086931) and interestingly bears the exact same dial characteristics as the No.02. Worn only on a few very rare occasions and probably never polished, it has been preserved in almost as new condition with all hallmarks and engravings crisp and deep. Weighing in at a massive perfect 300 gramms and a perfect stella dial, there is no doubt that this watch will hold a coveted place within any serious Rolex collector?s vault.