The Art of Horology in Geneva
Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Nov 13, 1999
LOT 309
Rolex, Oyster Perpetual, Tru-Beat, Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified, Ref. 6556, 1960's.Fine and unusual, centre-seconds, self-winding, water-resistant, tonneau shaped, jumping second, stainless steel gentleman's wristwatch with stainless steel Oyster bracelet.
CHF 7,000 - 9,000
Sold: CHF 8,625
C. polished and brushed, screwed case back and crown. D. satiné silver with applied steel indexes, outer radium dots. "Dauphine" radium-coated steel hands. M. Cal. 1040, rhodium plated, 26 jewels, lever escapement, monometallic balance adjusted to temperatures and 5 positions, shock-absorber, self-compensating Breguet balance spring.Dial, case and movement signed.Diam. 35 mm.
| Grading System | |
|---|---|
Grade: AAA |
Excellent |
Case: 3 |
Good |
Movement: * 4 - 5 - |
|
Dial: 4 - 5 - 01 |
Notes
Ref. 6556The Tru-Beat with dead seconds is a very rare chronometer, where the dead seconds mechanism is independent from the main mechanism. The Rolex catalogue of 1960 mentions that this system will be replaced by reference 1020, which was never actually created. The design of a Tru-Beat watch dated 1956 on the back illustrated in the Rolex book mentioned hereafter is different from the ones we find in the Rolex catalogues from 1960-1962; this allows us to think that this model was an experimental phaseof production for this series.Produced in the 1950's and 1960's, mainly in stainless steel, and very few examples in 18K pink or yellow gold.Similar watches are is published in Collezionare Orologi da Polso Rolex, New Edition, by Osvaldo Patrizzi, Guido Mondani Editore, Genova, pp. 162, 163, 164 and 288.