Contemporary, Limited Edition and Col...

New York, Grand Havana Room, May 13, 1999

LOT 183

Rolex, Oyster Perpetual, Metropolitan, Officially Certified Chronometer, Ref. 6556, 1950's. Very rare and interesting tonneau shaped, independent centre second, self-winding, waterresistant, stainless steel gentleman's wristwatch, made for left-handed users.

USD 3,200 - 3,600

Sold: USD 5,405

C. three body, polished, satine, screwed case back and left-positioned winding-crown. D. satine silver with applied gold indexes. "Alpha" gold hands. M. 10 1 /2 "' 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.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3

Good
Movement: *4-5

Fair

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense

Poor
Dial: 4-5-01

Fair

Poor

HANDS Original

Notes

Ref. 6556 A similar watch is published in Collezionare Orologi da Polso Rolex, 1998 Edition, by Osvaldo Patrizzi, Guido Mondani Editore Genova, p. 162. This model made by Rolex is also called the TruBeat. This watch, with dead seconds, is a very rare chronometer, where the dead seconds mechanism is independent from the main mechanism. hi 1960, Rolex published that this system would be replaced in reference 1020, which was never really created. The design of this watch made circa 1956 is different from the ones we find in Rolex publications of the 60's; possibly this model was made in an experimental phase of production.