.jpg?maxwidth=3840)
Lot 80
Rolex. An extremely fine, rare and attractive stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with black dial, pulsometre scale, bracelet and box
SIGNED ROLEX, OYSTER CHRONOGRAPH, ANTIMAGNETIC, REF. 3525, CASE NO. 186'090, MANUFACTURED IN 1941
Closed17 November 2008
Price Realised
CHF 327,000
More Information
Specialist note
With Rolex green presentation box.
The present watch is certainly one of the most exclusive, attractive and best preserved examples of the celebrated reference 3525 chronograph to appear in public in recent years. Made in 1941, it is from the first series with the reference and serial numbers on the outside of the case back as opposed to between the lugs of the later examples. It features a highly charismatic, beautifully aged black lacquered dial with gold printing and the particularly rare and much sought-after pulsation scale instead of the double outer telemetre and tachymetre scales as found on the standard version of reference 3525. The case shows hardly any wear and has not suffered from overpolishing. In fact, its proportions remain crisp, most evident to the beholders eye are the sharp edges of the lugs.
Since the publishing of Mr. Mondani's collection in his book, the present watch has immediately captured the eyes and fantasies of all distinguished collectors of Rolex watches and has performed accordingly during its first public appearance at auction. It is, by all means, one of the most beautiful watches ever made by Rolex.
Production of reference 3525 was launched in 1939. Different versions in regard to case material and dial layout are illustrated in I Cronografi Rolex - La Leggenda, Pucci Papaleo Editore, pp. 162-192.
The present watch is certainly one of the most exclusive, attractive and best preserved examples of the celebrated reference 3525 chronograph to appear in public in recent years. Made in 1941, it is from the first series with the reference and serial numbers on the outside of the case back as opposed to between the lugs of the later examples. It features a highly charismatic, beautifully aged black lacquered dial with gold printing and the particularly rare and much sought-after pulsation scale instead of the double outer telemetre and tachymetre scales as found on the standard version of reference 3525. The case shows hardly any wear and has not suffered from overpolishing. In fact, its proportions remain crisp, most evident to the beholders eye are the sharp edges of the lugs.
Since the publishing of Mr. Mondani's collection in his book, the present watch has immediately captured the eyes and fantasies of all distinguished collectors of Rolex watches and has performed accordingly during its first public appearance at auction. It is, by all means, one of the most beautiful watches ever made by Rolex.
Production of reference 3525 was launched in 1939. Different versions in regard to case material and dial layout are illustrated in I Cronografi Rolex - La Leggenda, Pucci Papaleo Editore, pp. 162-192.