Rare Watches, Magnificent Jewels & Objets de Vertu 14 January 2019 | Monaco

Auction Details

Include Rare Watches, Magnificent Jewels & Objets de Vertu.

112 Rolex Texano, Ref. 5100, Quartz, Yellow-gold

Estimate: € 12,000 –⁠ 18,000

Sold € 16,900

Model: Texano
Material: Yellow-gold 18K
Reference N°: 5100
Year: Circa 1970s decades
Case N°: 60
Caliber: Beta 21 Quartz
Bracelet: Rolex yellow-gold bracelet with concealed deployant
Dimensions: 39 mm x 45 mm
Signed: Case, dial, movement
Literature: Coming from Mondani collection

While many people are familiar with Rolex’s brief venture into the quartz watch market with the Oysterquartz line of watches, fewer are aware of the very first quartz watch to bear the Rolex name: the reference 5100 beta-21. In 1962, Rolex and twenty other Swiss watch manufacturers formed the Centre Électronique Horloger. The purpose of this group was to develop a quartz movement that could be used in wristwatches. In 1966, the first prototype, known as the beta-1 was produced, and by 1969, its final incarnation, the beta-21 was ready for production. Sixteen different watchmaking companies used this movement in their watches, and amongst these was Rolex, who used it to power the reference 5100 beta-21. Unveiled at Baselworld 1970, the reference 5100 was released in a special limited series of 1,000 pieces – all made from solid, 18-karat gold – and each with its limited edition number engraved on the side of the case. This very well preserved early example is the number 60 and former property of Mondani collection. Due to the premium materials and limited production run, the reference 5100 beta-21 is highly valued by collectors, and epitomizes the evolution of watchmaking during the 1970s.

Montre Rolex en or jaune, modèle Texano, réf. 5100. Mouvement à quartz. Cet exemple numéroté 60 est dans un très bel état. A appartenu à la célèbre collection de montres Mondani.