27 Rolex Imporant and Very Fine Padellone Automatic Wristwatch in Stainless Steel, Reference 8171, With Argenté Dial, Triple Calendar and Moon Phases

Estimate: € 100,000 –⁠ 200,000

Sold € 124,800

Model: Padellone
Material: Stainless Steel
Reference N°: 8171
Year: 1950
Case N°: 686284
Caliber: 10 1/2″
Movement type: Automatic
Bracelet: Leather Strap
Dimensions: 38 mm
Signed: Dial, case and movement

After decades of producing tool/sports models, time-only watches and chronographs, Rolex decided to create its first complicated watch. Day, date, month and moon phases: the Padellone is the set and the result of a series of complications that make it one of the most legendary vintage watches ever created. In production for only four years between 1949 to 1952, is considered that of the reference 8171 have been realized only approximately 1000 pieces overall, equally divided into 500 in steel and 500 in yellow or pink gold. Its nickname Padellone, given by Italian collectors, comes from its unusually large case with 37.5 mm in diameter, when compared with the models of that period. Its beautiful wide quadrants were supplied by two companies: Beyeler (producer of the version with the Arabic number 12) and Stern (manufacturer of that with batons). The present lot is a truly remarkable example realized in stainless steel and preserved in very nice conditions with sharpe edges. The dial, given the presence of the 12, has been manufactured by Beyeler and is the dream of every vintage watches’ collector: heavenly aged with a delicate patina, gorgeous applied yellow gold numerals, two subtile gold hands, two small windows at 12 o’clock for English day and month and an outer perimeter with light blue date indicated by a vivid red hand. At 6 o’clock then, the moon phase subdial, for the first time present on a Rolex model and the only one with a non oyster case, with its yellow gold painting standing out in a dark sky. Historically important and icon of horology’s world, the 8171 is one of the most contemporary vintage watches for its big size and style but most of all, one of the most sought after by collectors.