Thematic Auction in Geneva:The Evolut...

Hotel Noga Hilton, Geneva, Nov 16, 2002

LOT 397

Rolex Oyster Perpetual, Superlative Chronometer, Officially Certified Cosmograph "Daytona", Ref. 16500/16528, with patinated dial, so-called "Patrizzi". Production of this reference started in 1988.Fine, self-winding, water-resistant down to 100 meters, 18K yellow gold gentleman's wristwatch, with round button chronograph, registers and tachometer, 50-hour autonomy, and an 18K polished and brushed yellow gold "Oyster" bracelet, deployant clasp and gold bezel.

CHF 20,000 - 30,000

EUR 13,500 - 20,000

Sold: CHF 27,600

C. three-body, solid, polished and brushed, screwed-down case back, protected chronograph buttons and Triplock winding-crown, tachometer graduation on the gold bezel to 400 units per hour, sapphire crystal. D. dark blue with applied yellow gold tritium-coated indexes, auxiliary beige ring dials for the seconds and the 12-hour and 30-minute registers. "Bâton" tritium-coated yellow gold hands. M. 13''' Cal. 4030, rhodium-plated, 31 jewels, straight line lever escapement, monometallic balance adjused to 6 positions, shock-absorber, self-compensating Breguet balance-spring, micrometer regulator.Dial, case and movement signed.Diam. 40 mm.Approx. overall length 180 mm.


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Grading System
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

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

Notes

The early production of this reference, originally with black dial and white subsidiary ring dials, takes on a patina with time, the main and subsidiary dials becoming respectively dark blue and beige. Collectors began calling this watch the "Patrzzi" because Osvaldo Patrizzi, along with Guido Mondani, was the first to become aware of this transformation and to bring it to the attention both of the public and of Rolex. This first series, with its "defect", has become extremely rare and collectibe.Similar wristwatches are published in "Collecting Rolex Wristwatches", by Osvaldo Patrizzi, Guido Mondani Editore, 2001, pp. 462-464.