ROLEX. A FINE, RARE AND EARLY 18K GOLD CHRONOGRAPH WRISTWATCH
Lot 192 ROLEX
Ref. 3525 Monoblocco

ROLEX. A FINE, RARE AND EARLY 18K GOLD CHRONOGRAPH WRISTWATCH

SIGNED ROLEX, OYSTER, ANTIMAGNETIC, REF. 3525, CASE NO. 147’845, CIRCA 1940

Closed13 May 2019

Price Realised

CHF 112,500

More Information

How to sell

ROLEX. A FINE, RARE AND EARLY 18K GOLD CHRONOGRAPH WRISTWATCH
SIGNED ROLEX, OYSTER, ANTIMAGNETIC, REF. 3525, CASE NO. 147’845, CIRCA 1940
Movement: cal. 13''' 23 VZ, manual, 17 jewels, signed
Dial: signed
Case: screw back, 35 mm. diam., signed
With: 18K gold Rolex buckle.

Specialist note

This endangered species strap is shown for display purposes only and is not for sale. The watch will be supplied with a calf leather strap.

This early example of a ref. 3525 chronograph is preserved in very good overall condition. The original dial impresses with a charismatic, uniform champagne patina, the case has retained full proportions and crisp serial and referenced numbers to the outside of the case back. The inside features the early signature “Oyster Watch Co.” and the details of the English patents.

Reference 3525
Reference 3525, one of the manufacturer’s first “Oyster” chronograph wristwatches, was produced between 1939 and 1945 in a variety of metals. It is affectionately nick-named “monoblocco” by Italian collectors, referring to the fact that except for the case back the entire case consists of one block including bezel and lugs.

Different versions in regard to case material and dial layout including a very similar example to the present one are illustrated in: 100 Superlative Rolex Watches, John Goldberger, pp. 96-107, other examples also in: I Cronografi Rolex - La Leggenda, Pucci Papaleo Editore, pp. 162-192.