Live Auction 1404Important Watches
Rolex. A fine and rare stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with black dial and bracelet
Lot 121

Rolex. A fine and rare stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with black dial and bracelet

SIGNED ROLEX, REF. 2508, CASE NO. 402'831, CIRCA 1945

Closed10 November 2014

Price Realised

CHF 75,000

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Rolex. A fine and rare stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with black dial and bracelet
Signed Rolex, ref. 2508, case no. 402'831, circa 1945
Mechanical movement, black dial, pink Arabic and baton numerals, outer pink five minute divisions and telemetre scale, inner pink spiral tachymetre scale, two engine-turned pink subsidiary dials indicating constant seconds and 30 minutes register, circular case with flat bezel, downturned lugs, snap on back, two rectangular chronograph buttons in the band, stainless steel riveted expandable bracelet stamped GF for Gay Frères, case, dial and movement signed
36 mm. diam.

Specialist note

Reference 2508 was introduced to the market in the mid 1930s. The first generation featured oval chronograph buttons, whereas the second series were fitted with rectangular pushers, such as the present watch.
Different versions of reference 2508 are described and illustrated in I Cronografi Rolex - La Leggenda, Pucci Papaleo Editore, pp. 80-91

Gay Frères was established in 1835 by Jean-Pierre Gay and Gaspard Tissot. The company's workshop in Geneva was dedicated to the fabrication of chains as well as bracelets and became popular due to its quality of work and the originality of its creations.

Gay Frères was a key supplier to many prestigious watch companies, such as Patek Philippe and Rolex, and bracelets made by the company can add value to vintage pieces. In 1930 Gay Frères Geneva was followed by a sister company in Annemasse, France, known as Gay Frères Annemasse. While Gay Frères Geneva was sold to Rolex in 1998, Gay Frères Annemasse still exists in France producing exquisite jewellery items.