Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces

Monaco, Jul 19, 2022

LOT 249

ROLEX
REF. 8171, TRIPLE DATE, MOON PHASES; SO-CALLED "PADELLONE"; 18K YELLOW GOLD

EUR 130,000 - 230,000

USD 138,000 - 244,000 / HKD 1,080,000 - 1,900,000 / CHF 132,000 - 232,000

A very fine and extremely rare, large and attractive, 18K yellow gold, self-winding, gentleman's wristwatch with date, day, month and moon phases.


LOADING IMAGES
Click to full view Click to full view Click to full view Click to full view
Image Image Image Image
Grading System
Grade:
Case: 2-8

Very good

Slightly scratched
Movement: 2*

Very good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 2-01-10

Very good

HANDS Original

Patinated

Brand Rolex, Geneva

Model so-called "Padellone"

Reference 8171

Year circa 1950

Movement No. G 4814

Case No. 67X619

Material 18K yellow gold

Bracelet leather strap

Buckle gilded metal Rolex buckle

Diameter 38 mm.

Caliber 10''' 1/2

Weight 64.05 gr. (approx.)

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 triple date and moon phases:
· Ref. 8171, featuring a snap-on case-back (38 mm.);
· 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, translates “frying pan”.

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.