Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces
Geneva, May 09, 2021
LOT 266
ROLEX DIAL, REF. 8171, PADELLONE OYSTER PERPETUAL, TWO-TONE SILVER, YELLOW GOLD INDEXES, WITH 2 MOONPHASE DISKS AND A MONTH DISK
CHF 10,000 - 20,000
HKD 80,000 - 160,000 / USD 10,000 - 20,000TO BE SOLD WITHOUT RESERVE
Sold: CHF 82,500
An exceptional, possibly unique and extremely rare, two-tone silver dial with yellow gold baton indexes. Diameter 33 mm.
In excellent overall condition, some slight spotting and oxydation and scratches to the outer rim.
In excellent overall condition, some slight spotting and oxydation and scratches to the outer rim.
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Grade: |
Brand Rolex
Notes
Property of a Swiss watchmaker
While the triple date moonphase Rolex 8171 needs no further introduction, small dial variations are noted on this reference depending on the year and the case material and indexes.
While one can easily spot that its characteristics are from the first series featuring the early Rolex crown, one immediately notices the unusual placement of the word “Precision” right above the 12 o clock index instead of the Rolex crown. Recently discovered among some spare parts from a retired Rolex watchmaker, one can assume that this dial was an early test prototype dial that was never commercialised but rather tested before the final dial design was decided. It is reminiscent of another exceptional watch a Patek Philippe reference 1518 that also had the words Calendrier Perpetuel on the first line of the dial possibly used for marketing purposes (see Christies, May 2014, lot 376).
A truly, once in a lifetime exceptional find.
While the triple date moonphase Rolex 8171 needs no further introduction, small dial variations are noted on this reference depending on the year and the case material and indexes.
While one can easily spot that its characteristics are from the first series featuring the early Rolex crown, one immediately notices the unusual placement of the word “Precision” right above the 12 o clock index instead of the Rolex crown. Recently discovered among some spare parts from a retired Rolex watchmaker, one can assume that this dial was an early test prototype dial that was never commercialised but rather tested before the final dial design was decided. It is reminiscent of another exceptional watch a Patek Philippe reference 1518 that also had the words Calendrier Perpetuel on the first line of the dial possibly used for marketing purposes (see Christies, May 2014, lot 376).
A truly, once in a lifetime exceptional find.