Important Collectors Watches, Pocket...
Geneva, Oct 14, 2007
LOT 86
So-Called ?Piccolino? Rolex, "Chronographe, Anti-Magnetique", Ref. 3055, case No. 10002. Made circa 1952. Very fine and extremely rare, small, 18K pink gold wristwatch with square-button chronograph, register, black dial with tachometer scale and a Rolex gold-plated buckle.
CHF 32,000 - 42,000
EUR 20,000 - 26,000 / USD 27,000 - 35,000
C. Three-body, polished, flat and stepped bezel, concave lugs, snap-on back. D. Black with applied pink gold faceted lozenge indexes, outer minutes and fifth of a second divisions, subsidiary seconds and 30 minute register, outer tachometer scale. Pink gold ?Alpha" hands. M. Cal. 69 10 1/2''', rhodium-plated, 17 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, monometallic balance, self-compensating Breguet balance-spring, index regulator. Dial, case and movement signed. Diam. 30 mm. Thickness 10 mm.
| Grading System | |
|---|---|
Grade: AAA |
Excellent |
Case: 3 |
Good |
Movement: 3* |
Good Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense |
Dial: 3-6-01 |
Good Slightly oxidized HANDS Original |
Notes
This reference was first released in the 1930s with olive button chronograph and then relaunched in the 1950s with the same reference and square button chronograph. In period advertising this reference was stated to be the smallest chronograph in the world. It was available in stainless steel at a cost of 1025 Lire or in 18K yellow or pink gold for 2000 Lire. In the same advertisement a Rolex 18K gold chronograph pocket watch was priced at 1920 Lire.
This watch is illustrated in ?Rolex, Collecting Wristwatches?, by Osvaldo Patrizzi, 2001 Edition, p. 397.