Exceptional Horological Works of Art

Geneva, Oct 19, 2002

LOT 37

Rolex Oyster Perpetual "Day Date", Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified, Ref. 6611. Made in six examples, circa 1959. Very fine and extremely rare tonneau-shaped, center-seconds, self-winding, water-resistant, stainless steel gentleman's wristwatch with day and date and a stainless steel Oyster bracelet.

CHF 25,000 - 30,000

EUR 15,000 - 20,000

Sold: CHF 50,600

C. three-body, polished and brushed, dedicated screwed-down case back and crown, crystal with "Cyclops" lens. D. satiné silver with tritium-coated steel indexes, aperture for the date. Tritium-coated "Bâton" steel hands. M. Cal. 1556, rhodium-plated, 26 jewels, straight line lever escapement, mono-metallic balance adjusted to temperatures and 5 positions, shock-absor-ber, self-compensating Breguet balance spring. Dial, case, and movement signed. Diam. 36 mm.


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

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

Notes

Engraved on the case back: "Ecole d'Horlogerie de Genève - 1963" and the Rolex logo. Small series of these watches were givens as prizes to the best students of the Geneva school of Horologery. This watch was produced in only six examples in stainless steel because a marketing test with different metals showed that there was a considerable potential demand for pieces in gold. Rolex therefore stopped production of the steel watches, producing this reference only in precious metals. This strategy proved successful, for even today this is the most popular high-quality watch in the world. Ref. 6611 The Rolex Oyster Perpetual "Day-Date" was first created under the reference No. 6511. Only six stainless steel examples were made in the mid 1950?s. Similar watches are published in "Rolex, Collecting Wristwatches", by Osvaldo Patrizzi, Guido Mon-dani Editore, Genova 2001, pp. 258-260, 264 and 385.