Important Collectors’ Wristwatches, P...

Geneva, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Du Rhône, Oct 15, 2006

LOT 328

Ref. 3481 Stainless Steel ?Antimagnetic? Original Certificate Rolex, ?Oyster Chronograph Antimagnetic?, Ref. 3481, case No. 122016. Made in 1939, sold on April 27, 1943. Very fine and very rare, stainless steel, water-resistant, mid-sized wristwatch with round-button chronograph, register and brushed stainless steel Rolex "grains de riz" bracelet. Accompanied by a Rolex box and the original certificate of origin (now void).

CHF 60,000 - 80,000

EUR 38,000 - 50,000 / USD 50,000 - 65,000

Sold: CHF 88,500

C. Two-body, polished and brushed, flat bezel, screwed-down back and crown, concave lugs. D. Brushed silvered with black painted Arabic numerals, outer minutes and fifths of a second track with Arabic five minute/seconds numerals, subsidiary seconds and 30-minute register dials. Blued steel ?baton? hands. M. 10 1/2???, rhodiumplated, 17 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, monometallic balance, self-compensating Breguet balance spring, index regulator. Dial and movement signed Rolex, case signed Oyster Watch Co. Diam. 29 mm. Thickness 11 mm.


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

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

Good

HANDS Original

Notes

The present watch is a very well preserved example with original dial and 1950s Rolex bracelet. It is exceptionally rare to find the original certificate of origin with any Rolex chronograph wristwatch. Ref. 3481 was produced in stainless steel only with a choice of steel, yellow or pink gold bezel. Similar watches are published in ?Rolex: Collecting Modern and Vintage Wristwatches? by Osvaldo Patrizzi, Guido Mondani Editore Genova, 2004, vol. 1, p. 111.