Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces
Monaco, Jul 25, 2023
LOT 26*
REF. 3335, OVERSIZE CHRONOGRAPH, MINUTE AND HOUR COUNTERS; “ANTIMAGNETIC”; STAINLESS STEEL
EUR 15,000 - 20,000
USD 16,400 - 21,800 / HKD 128,000 - 172,000 / CHF 14,700 - 19,600
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.
If the lot is delivered within the EU:
a 20% import VAT is due on the hammer price with buyer’s premium, plus 120€ for termination of temporary export, at buyer’s expense.
If the lot is delivered outside EU:
120€ for termination of temporary export is due,at buyer’s expense
| 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.
Biography
Pucci, Papaleo, I Chronografi Rolex, La Leggenda, pp. 124-126.