Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces

Hong Kong, May 10, 2020

LOT 369

Rolex - Ref. 3335, oversize chronograph, minute and hour recorders; “Antimagnetic”; stainless steel

HKD 258,000 - 302,000

USD 33,000 - 38,500 / EUR 30,000 - 35,000 / CHF 33,000 - 38,500

Stainless steel, manual-winding, tonneau-shaped, anti-magnetic, oversized gentleman’s wristwatch, with snap-on case-back, silver colour dial with subsidiary seconds at 9 and three horological complications: • 1/5 second chronograph (activated by the two rectangular push-pieces) with telemetric scale graduated on the dial for one mile (1 609.33 metres) • Half-instantaneous 30-minute recorder (subsidiary dial at 3 o’clock) • 12-hour recorder (subsidiary dial at 6 o’clock) Silver colour dial with large suspended luminescent Arabic numerals.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3 *
Dial: 3-6-8-01

Good

Slightly oxidized

Slightly scratched

HANDS Original

Brand Rolex, Geneva

Model “Antimagnetic”

Reference 3335

Year circa 1939-1940

Movement No. unnumbered

Case No. 047 490

Material stainless steel

Bracelet brown leather strap

Buckle stainless steel Rolex buckle

Caliber 14’’’ (based on Valjoux 22)

Height 44 mm.

Width 37.5 mm.

Signature dial, case and movement

Notes

This reference is launched in 1939 and was produced for only a year from 1939 to 1940.
This reference is a milestone for Rolex for different reasons.
The first was its shear size, measuring an impressive 38 mm.
It was the first chronograph to integrate a third register to record the hours elapsed.
Often found with telemeter and tachometer scales, rarely with pulsometer scale, some examples are fitted with a simple configuration that further enhances their sizes.
It’s one of the rarest and most desirable early Rolex chronographs, only 250 pieces were made in pink, yellow gold and stainless steel cases.

Bibliography

Pucci, Papaleo, I Chronografi Rolex, La Leggenda, pp. 124-126.