46 Rolex A stunning, exceedingly rare and attractive, chronograph antimagnetic wristwatch in Steel, with snail-dial, retailed by Verga, Reference 2811.

Estimate: € 35.000 –⁠ 70.000

While Rolex today may be most closely associated with the iconic Oyster case and crown-guarded sports watches of the post-war era, the firm’s early chronographs of the 1930s and 1940s represent a golden chapter in the brand’s formative history, one defined by elegance, experimentation, and technical refinement. Among these pioneering efforts, the reference 2811 stands as one of the earliest known Rolex chronograph wristwatches, preceding even the celebrated Oyster-cased 3525. Housed in a classic 33mm stainless steel case with olive pushers and fixed bars, the reference 2811 was produced in exceedingly small numbers during the late 1930s and remains a grail for collectors who appreciate the delicate balance of form and function in pre-Oyster Rolex chronographs. These early references were often equipped with movements from Valjoux and showcased dial designs of immense graphic artistry, including telemeter, tachymeter, and snail-scale configurations that offered both utility and visual dynamism. The present example is a particularly compelling and rare specimen of the reference 2811, distinguished by a so-called "snail" dial, a design in which the outer chronograph scale coils inward in elegant spirals, optimizing legibility while evoking the mathematical beauty of early scientific instrumentation. Even more desirable and immensily sought-after, is the double signature of Milan's retailer Verga at 12 o'clock. Certainly, a unique feature that would be forgotten or un-noticed at first glance given the peculiar positioning of the retailer's signature. The dial remain boldly defined against the soft patina of the center dial, while the case retains the integrity and sharpness emblematic of a carefully looked-after case. Watches of this calibre and condition, particularly with such a coveted and peculiar retail signature, rarely appear on the market. The Atelier de Restauration represents one of Rolex’s most remarkable, and least visible, commitments to horological excellence. Within its walls, master artisans dedicate themselves to the meticulous preservation of the brand’s historic creations. Every intervention is guided by an almost religious respect for authenticity, ensuring that each component retains its integrity and provenance. This is not restoration in the ordinary sense, but rather a dialogue between past and present, where time itself is carefully negotiated. From Rolex's Atelier de Restauration, the present Rolex reference 2811 is an exceptional opportunity to acquire one of the purest expressions of Rolex’s chronograph heritage, long before the world came to know the Daytona.