Live Auction 1395Important Watches
Rolex. A fine and rare 18K gold chronograph wristwatch
Lot 316

Rolex. A fine and rare 18K gold chronograph wristwatch

SIGNED ROLEX, OYSTER CHRONOGRAPH, ANTI-MAGNETIC, REF. 4500, CIRCA 1945

Closed13 May 2013

Price Realised

CHF 22,500

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Rolex. A fine and rare 18K gold chronograph wristwatch
Signed Rolex, Oyster Chronograph, Anti-Magnetic, Ref. 4500, circa 1945
Cal. 23 mechanical movement, 17 jewels, cream dial, applied dagger numerals, outer Arabic five minute divisions and tachymetre scale, two subsidiary dials for constant seconds and 30 minutes register, tonneau-shaped water-resistant-type case, screw back, screw down crown, two round chronograph buttons in the band, 18K gold Rolex buckle, case, dial and movement signed
36 mm. diam.

Specialist note

The present watch is a splendid example of a reference 4500, characterized by its two-body case and most noticeably the single chronograph register. It charms with its original and unspoilt condition with a crisp hallmark and milling on the back and a sharp outline. The oxidation on the left side is testimony to the fact that the watch has been unused for a long time and definitely not been polished, thus making the watch an unspoilt collector's gem.

Only a few Oyster chronograph models produced by Rolex feature only a 30 minutes register, omitting the 12 hours register and reference 4500 is one of them. Launched in the 1940s, the reference was available in yellow gold, pink gold, stainless steel and in stainless steel and gold.

Different versions of this model are described and illustrated in I Cronografi Rolex - La Leggenda by Pucci Papaleo Editore, pp. 206 - 221, as well as in 100 Years of Rolex by Franca and Guido Mondani.