Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces

Hong Kong, Apr 25, 2021

LOT 281

ROLEX
Ref. 8171, oversize, triple date à guichets, moon phases; “Perpetual” “Precision” so-called “Padellone”; stainless steel

HKD 9,200,000 - 1,846,000

USD 119,000 - 238,000 / CHF 110,600 - 221,200

Stainless steel, manual-winding, round-shaped, oversized gentleman’s wristwatch, with snap-on case-back, silver colour dial with radial luminescent indexes and Arabic numerals at 12, subsidiary seconds at 6 and four horological complications:
  • Half-instantaneous date of the month (exterior graduation with central index)
  • Day of the week (aperture at 11 o’clock; indications given in English)
  • Month of the year (aperture at 1 o’clock; indications given in English)
  • Phases of the moon (aperture at 6 o’clock)


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3-6-8-01

Good

Slightly oxidized

Slightly scratched

HANDS Original

Brand Rolex, Geneva

Model “Perpetual” “Precision”

Reference 8171

Year Circa 1952

Movement No. unnumbered

Case No. 820 642

Bracelet brown leather strap

Buckle stainless steel Rolex buckle

Caliber 13’’’, "Super-Balance"

Dimensions 47 x 38.1 mm.

Signature dial, case and movement

Notes

Rolex, Ref. 8171
This reference was produced in few examples between 1949 to 1952; approximately 1 000 examples in 18K yellow or pink gold, as well as some models in stainless steel were manufactured.
Throughout their entire run, Rolex only produced two models of watches displaying moon phases: Ref. 8171, featuring a snap-on case-back (38 mm.), and Ref. 6062 with a screw-down Oyster case (36 mm.)
This watch was very avant-garde for its time because of its diameter (38 mm.), making it a very modern piece today; an extremely rare collectors’ item.
This reference is one of the most sought-after models by collectors and so-called “Padellone” by Italian collectors.
Today, a new Cellini moon phase Rolex has released.

Bibliography
  • Dowling, James M., & Hess, Jeffrey P., The Best of Time, Rolex Wristwatches, p. 209.
  • Patrizzi, Osvaldo, Rolex, Collecting Wristwatches, Genova, Guido Mondani Editions, 2001, pp. 68-71 and 94.
  • Patrizzi, Osvaldo, Rolex, Collecting Modern and Vintage Wristwatches, Genova, Guido Mondani Editions, 2005, pp. 62-63.