79 Rolex A supremely rare, and preserved in original conditions, "Jean-Claude Killy" triple calendar manual chronograph wristwatch, two-tone dial, radium numerals and hands, oxydized case and presentation box, reference 4767.

Estimate: CHF 200,000 –⁠ 400,000

Few watches in Rolex’s storied history can rival the mechanical sophistication and mystique of the legendary Dato-Compax series. Among these rare and revered references, the 4767 holds a place of particular significance—not only as the first Oyster-cased Dato-Compax, but as the genesis of Rolex’s most complicated and collectible chronographs. Introduced in 1947, reference 4767 marked a pivotal departure from Rolex’s utilitarian roots, seamlessly blending the prestige of a triple calendar chronograph with the brand’s groundbreaking Oyster case—a pioneering step that fused water resistance with haute horology. Produced in extremely limited numbers until 1962, the Dato-Compax series spans four references; 4767, like the present example, 5036, 6036, and 6236, each known today under the evocative nickname “Jean-Claude Killy,” after the Olympic champion who famously wore the final iteration of the line. A rare departure from Rolex’s tool-watch philosophy, the Killy series occupies a unique space in the maison’s vintage canon, sitting alongside only two other complication families: the moonphase-equipped references 6062 and 8171, and the ultra-rare split-seconds chronograph reference 4113. These pieces collectively represent Rolex’s brief but brilliant foray into complex watchmaking. The present, uniquely exceptional and immensely charming example, cased in yellow gold, is a spectacular representation of reference 4767’s enduring allure. The case itself has acquired a jaw-dropping, gorgeously encapsulating even patina over the decades, an organic golden veil that speaks to years of untouched preservation, and the kind of natural oxidation that only time can bestow. Often described as a true “sleeping beauty,” this timepiece has slumbered undisturbed, preserving its originality in near time-capsule condition, it furthermore showcases a crisp under-lug hallmark and crisp caseback with undisturbed milling. The dial is equally captivating. Arabic numerals and dot markers, rendered in luminous radium, offer both period-correct charm and remarkable legibility. Equally, the radim lume hands have acquired, in a similar fascion to the case and dial, a charming "fuzzy" tropicalization. Every element coalesces into a design that is at once refined, functional, and irresistibly charismatic. A rare bridge between Rolex’s tool-watch heritage and its occasional dalliances with high complication, the yellow gold reference 4767 is more than just a timepiece, it is a horological landmark. For the discerning collector, it represents not only an extraordinary chapter in the Rolex archive, but a window into an era when the brand dared to dream beyond the crown’s traditional domain.