Rolex Pink Gold Triple Calendar Wristwatch, Reference 6062

LOT 118 - 10 May The Geneva Watch Auction: ONE

The Rolex reference 6062 takes a unique position within the firm’s history as it is one of only two ever made models featuring a triple calendar with phases of the moon.

Whereas the other model, reference 8171, is cased in a snap-on-back (non- water-resistant) case, reference 6062 has the firm’s signature Oyster case. Reference 6062 made in a very small number during the early 1950’s was only available in steel, yellow gold or pink gold. A educated count amongst scholars reveals that today no more than a dozen of examples have ever been offered at public auction during the last 35 years.

Furthermore, only two dials for the pink gold version are known today: the "Stelline", featuring applied star-shaped hour markers, and the present dial design, featuring Arabic numerals at the 3 and 5 o’clock position and facetted lozenge-shaped markers. Of this type, the present watch and only one other example (published in John Goldberger’s 100 Superlative Rolex Watches, p. 140 & 141) are known today, making it the rarest rose gold version and one of the rarest Rolex watches in absolute terms.

The example offered here was for decades the cherished property of a Swiss family, the second owners since the watch’s production. Sold at auction precisely ten years ago (Christie’s Geneva, Important Pocketwatches and Wristwatches, 16.5.2005, lot 195), it has since then been in an important private collection. According to our knowledge, the second long-term owners serviced the watch only once in the late 1970’s, a fact supported by the watchmaker’s mark inside the case back. Since then, the watch has not been serviced or been exposed to polishing. The original pink gold bracelet, with year stamp 53 inside the clasp, is still present and in overall very good condition, proof of how little wear this watch has seen. Very important to the discerning collector is also the fact that the numbers in between the lugs are sill crisp – in this instance they are close to perfect.

It is the aim of most avid Rolex collectors to one day acquire a well preserved and correct example of reference 6062, only few dare wishing for a rose gold specimen. The present example does indeed represent a very rare opportunity to fulfill such a dream – for experienced and novice collectors alike.

Lot 118 achieved 1,001,000 CHF at The Geneva Watch Auction: ONE