Live Auction 1357Important Watches
Rolex. An extremely fine, rare and large stainless steel automatic triple calendar wristwatch with moon phases
Lot 168

Rolex. An extremely fine, rare and large stainless steel automatic triple calendar wristwatch with moon phases

SIGNED ROLEX, PERPETUAL, PRECISION, REF. 8171, CASE NO. 902'491, MANUFACTURED IN 1952

Closed17 November 2008

Price Realised

CHF 165,000

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Rolex. An extremely fine, rare and large stainless steel automatic triple calendar wristwatch with moon phases
Signed Rolex, Perpetual, Precision, ref. 8171, case no. 902'491, manufactured in 1952
Cal. 10 1/2''' nickel-finished lever movement, 18 jewels, silvered dial, applied dagger and square-shaped numerals, outer date ring with central date hand, two windows for day and month, subsidiary dial for moon phases and constant seconds, large circular case, calendar correctors in the band, snap on back, stainless steel Rolex buckle, case, dial and movement signed
37 mm. diam.

The Mondani Collection of Rolex Wristwatches, Antiquorum, Geneva 13 May 2006, lot 200.

Specialist note

Rolex has produced only two different models of moonphase wristwatches, references 8171 and 6062. Both models are automatic, however reference 8171 has a snap on back, while reference 6062 (see lot 349 in this auction), the Oyster version, is fitted with a water-resistant-type screw back.

Reference 8171 was made in a small series between 1949 and 1952, mostly in yellow gold. Examples in pink gold (see lot 18 in this sale) or in stainless steel are very rare.

Consigned by a private collector, the present watch furthermore stands out by its excellent overall condition and the attractive silvered dial. The case is crisp and still retains the finely engraved case number and Rolex crown to the case back, the dial does not show any cosmetic enhancements but only some slight ageing.