Rolex. A very fine and rare stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with black regulator dial and box
Lot 302

Rolex. A very fine and rare stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with black regulator dial and box

SIGNED ROLEX, REF. 2737, CASE NO. 783'515, CIRCA 1938

Closed15 November 2010

Price Realised

CHF 81,000

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Rolex. A very fine and rare stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with black regulator dial and box
Signed Rolex, ref. 2737, case no. 783'515, circa 1938
Cal. 13''' three quarter plate nickel-finished lever movement, 17 jewels, black gloss regulator-style dial, outer silvered five minute divisions and telemetre scale, small engine-turned hour dial with Arabic numerals, inner spiral tachymetre scale, engine-turned 30 minutes register, large circular case, slender lugs, snap on back, two oval-shaped chronograph buttons in the band, stainless steel Rolex buckle, case, dial and movement signed
36 mm. diam.

Specialist note

With copy of Rolex servicing invoice dated 7 April 2008 and contemporary fitted green presentation box.

The present watch is a very fine and exceedingly rare example of a non-Oyster chronograph wristwatch, featuring a stainless steel case and a highly attractive and unusual black gloss regulator-style dial, placing the emphasis on the chronograph display as opposed to the traditional time display. It is furthermore distinguished by its very good overall condition.

It was only in the second half of the 1930s that Rolex introduced its celebrated Oyster design on chronographs, rendering the stop watch as resistant to outer influences such as humidity, dust and shock as the "time only" Oyster wristwatches.