Exclusive Timepieces & Jewels 17 –⁠ 18 July 2019 | Monaco

Auction Details

A Selection of Pure Vintage/Contemporary Timepieces and Rare Jewels. Our first auction with Davide Parmegiani.

Session 1 starting at 3 p.m.
Session 2 starting at 6 p.m.

228 Rolex A stunning and rare Rolex Barilotto reference 3525 in stainless steel and pink gold with original Rolex factory guarantee

Estimate: € 50,000 –⁠ 100,000

Sold € 55,900

Model: Barilotto
Material: stainless steel and pink gold
Reference N°: 3525
Case N°: 262188
Caliber: 13
Bracelet: Leather strap
Dimensions: 35 MM
Accessories: PAPERS

The reference 3525 of Rolex is extremely famous among watch lovers due to the atypical constitution of its case, composed of a single solid piece of metal which has also earned it the nickname “monoblock”. Excellent small chronographs, given the diameter of only 35 mm, are usually equipped with Valjoux movement and were launched in 1939, only to be removed from production a few years later, in 1945. Its short manufacturing period and the peculiarity of being the first chronograph Rolex to be inserted in an Oyster case make it one of the most sought after and appetizing pieces on the market. Available in pink gold, yellow gold, stainless steel or steel and gold it was an important landmark model for Rolex given the history behind it: it was in fact the model supplied to the prisoner of war (for this reason also known as POW) captured in Western Allied airmen and incarcerated in German camps. Hans Wilsdorf decided to ship an example to each prisoner who had requested it without making him paying a cent until they have returned from the war. The watch here offered is the rarest variant of this very important model, made with the combination of stainless steel and pink gold. Moreover it appears to be also one of the most appealing given its amazing dial with an extremely beautiful patina which is fading softly getting closer to the edges. The multiscale structure with both tachymeter and telemeter scales and applied gilt Arabic numerals and indexes add more attraction to this watch. Sold with the original documents and guarantee, this lot is a real gem for all watches aficionados. For another similar model please see lot 132 in this auction.