Geneva, Nov 10, 2024
LOT 592
ROLEX, SWITZERLAND, REF. 3890, ZEROGRAPHE, NEW OLD STOCK, STAINLESS STEEL
CHF 150,000 - 250,000
HKD 1,350,000 - 2,250,000 / USD 174,000 - 290,000 / EUR 160,000 - 266,000
An extremely rare, important, new old stock, stainless steel, manual wind wristwatch with flyback function
| Grading System | |
|---|---|
Grade: |
|
Case: 1-8 |
As new Slightly scratched |
Movement: 1* |
As new Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense |
Dial: 1-01 |
As new HANDS Original |
Brand Rolex, switzerland
Model Zerographe
Reference 3890
Year circa 1940's
Case No. 181271
Diameter 29.5
Caliber 10 1/2''', 17 jewels
Signature dial, case and movement
Accessories fitted box
Notes
Following the tremendous result of the last Rolex Zerograph reference 3346 that sold in our auction on May 9th 2021 (lot 292 sold for CHF 225’000), we are delighted to offer its sister version with a smooth bezel reference 3890.
There is no denying that the Rolex Zerographe (also known with an observatory dial as the Centregraph) has remained one of the biggest mystery and one of the most important watches made by the firm.
Featuring a fly-back second that is reset by the pusher at 2 o clock, it is the first known Rolex featuring this complication and was only available in steel. Another version featuring a smooth bezel was also produced under the name Zerograph (reference 3890) but was produced shortly after if one takes the serial numbers into consideration (usually with serials starting with 181’XXX).
From the overall condition of the watch, it is immediately obvious that it has remained in unworn condition, amazingly still fitted with rests of its protective stickers from the late 1930's.
With crisp serial and reference numbers on the outer caseback, the original dial has been preserved in as new condition with applied arabic indexes and a tachometer scale.
Antiquorum has only ever offered one other reference 3890 at auction (March 25, 1996, Milan, lot 107), with a serial number only 21 numbers apart demonstrating the extremely rare and small production of these pieces.
There is no denying that the Rolex Zerographe (also known with an observatory dial as the Centregraph) has remained one of the biggest mystery and one of the most important watches made by the firm.
Featuring a fly-back second that is reset by the pusher at 2 o clock, it is the first known Rolex featuring this complication and was only available in steel. Another version featuring a smooth bezel was also produced under the name Zerograph (reference 3890) but was produced shortly after if one takes the serial numbers into consideration (usually with serials starting with 181’XXX).
From the overall condition of the watch, it is immediately obvious that it has remained in unworn condition, amazingly still fitted with rests of its protective stickers from the late 1930's.
With crisp serial and reference numbers on the outer caseback, the original dial has been preserved in as new condition with applied arabic indexes and a tachometer scale.
Antiquorum has only ever offered one other reference 3890 at auction (March 25, 1996, Milan, lot 107), with a serial number only 21 numbers apart demonstrating the extremely rare and small production of these pieces.
Provenance
Property of a Portuguese collector