20 Rolex Extremely Fine, Attractive and Striking, Antimagnetic Chronograph Wristwatch in Steel, With Tachymeter and Telemeter Scales Black Gilt Dial, Reference 4500, Published in Pucci Papaleo’s Book “I Cronografi Rolex — La Leggenda”

Estimate: €150,000 –⁠ 300,000

Model: Chronograph
Reference: 4500
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Bracelet Material: Leather Strap
Year: 1946
Movement: Manual
Caliber: 23R
Case N°: 492300
Dimensions: 36 mm
Signed: Dial, Case and Movement
Accessories: Additional Steel Bracelet
Literature: This specific watch is published in Pucci Papaleo’s Book "I Cronografi Rolex - La Leggenda" at Page 216

History of watchmaking is littered with many models that represented real chimeras or true rarities if considered the style and composition of watches of the same period. The reference 4500 produced by Rolex between 1946 and 1947 is one of these specimens given its totally new design of the case, compared to the previous ones, with straighter and more pointed lugs that will then be the basis of many subsequent models. Moreover, this model is one of the very rare chronographs in an Oyster case to feature only two counters, one for constant seconds and one for the 30 minutes, omitting the 12 hours register. Conceived in the mid-1940s, the Rolex Oyster Chronograph ref. 4500 was the great-grandfather of the modern Cosmograph Daytona model that everybody love and admire today. The two body case of the reference was available in yellow or pink gold, steel and gold and, such as the present example, in stainless steel. Produced in around 200 pieces with this material, the rarity of this lot is given by the great conditions of the case with clear satin finish, the two push down buttons for the chronograph and the very nice dial. The presence of only two registers, as previously said, makes the dial and the whole watch looking smoother, elegant and a bit less sporty. But the nicest thing of this watch is for sure its dial. The original black color is incredibly well preserved considering its almost 80-year-old age while the radium luminous baton and Arabic numbers emerge in an exceptional way from the background exactly like the hands and the inner-minute track. Moreover the dial is completed by two gilded scales, the outer scale is a tachymeter up to 1000 and the inner one is telemetry scale based in km. The rarity, condition and special features that equip this lot make this a unique opportunity for collectors of vintage steel chronographs. Furthermore, this specific watch is published in Pucci Papaleo’s Book “I Cronografi Rolex—La Leggenda” at page 216.