Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces

Geneva, May 12, 2013

LOT 238

ROLEX REF. 5036 Rolex, ?Oyster Chronograph, Anti-Magnetic,? No. 797515, Ref. 5036. Made circa 1952. Very fine and rare, water-resistant, stainless steel wristwatch with round button chronograph, registers and triple date with a stainless steel Rolex Oyster riveted bracelet.

CHF 40,000 - 60,000

HKD 335,000 - 500,000 / USD 43,000 - 65,000

C. Two-body, polished and brushed, screwed-down case back and super-oyster crown, inclined bezel. D. Copper with applied silvered pyramid indexes and luminous dots, outer 1/5th second scale, subsidiary guilloché dials for the seconds, the 12-hour and 30-minute registers, outer graduation for the date, apertures for the days of the week and the months. Luminous steel alpha hands. M. Rhodium-plated, 17 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, monometallic balance, shock absorber, self-compensating Breguet balance spring, index regulator. Dial, case and movement signed. Diam. 36 mm. Thickness 14 mm. Approx. overall length 180 mm


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 2-01

Very good

HANDS Original

Notes

In 1948 Rolex launched their most complicated Oyster cased watch to date, the reference 4767, with day, date, month and chronograph functions using an un-modified Calibre 72C movement in the already classic Oyster design case. The watch faced fierce competition from rival Swiss companies also using the Cal. 72C and although it utilized the famous Oyster name, because of the chronograph pushers and calendar adjusters Rolex was unable to make it water-resistant. Despite poor sales, Rolex continued to offer the tripledate chronograph model by fitting the movement with a KIF shockabsorber and re-launching it as the 5036, then again shortly after with KIF Flector shock-protection as reference 6036 and finally with a more refined and modified Cal.72C movement as reference 6236 in a three-piece case. Among the variants made the 5036 remains the most desirable. The exceptional condition and provenance of this piece make it an excellent addition to any collection. This watch is featured on the front cover of the book ?The Best of Time, Rolex Wristwatches, An Authorized History? by James M. Dowling and Jeffrey P. Hess (third edition) and again on page 221.