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

Sold: CHF 212,500

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.

Provenance

Property of a Portuguese collector