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Lot Essay
With undated Rolex Guarantee.
The present watch is a beautiful example of the much sought-after Rolex reference 6236 with its charismatic dial, featuring the date ring with blue Arabic numerals and stylish blued steel arrow date hand. Whether viewed head on or from an angle, the superb face of the watch reveals its attractive two-tone silvered shine at once to the connoisseur's gaze.
The highly collectible Rolex Oyster triple calendar chronograph watches, which are also known as Dato Compax models, consist of four different series. Famed French Olympic skiing legend and Rolex enthusiast Jean-Claude Killy has sported a Dato Compax in the past and the model family hence has been dubbed by watch enthusiasts the "Jean-Claude Killy".
The three earlier series of the Dato Compax model carry the reference numbers 4767, 5036 and 6036.
Reference 6236, like this watch, is the final version of the model. It was in production between 1958 and 1962 and is easily identifiable by the larger bezel compared to its predecessors. In fact, the case of reference 6236 is made of three elements, the bezel no longer carved from the same block as the centre piece of the case.
This version is characterized by a beautiful two-tone coloured dial with outer track defined by clearly visible light blue numbers for the date, ranging from 1 to 31. Amongst all different variants, this one is one of the rarest since the number 1 for the day of the month is positioned at 12 o'clock when the majority has number 31 in this position.
Typical for Dato-Compax, all the numbers 6 and 9 are "open" and do not form a closed oval as the lines do not touch each other. Furthermore the dial retains its beautiful grainé finish and the faceted hour markers are not applied on to the dial plate but rather carved into the plate and then finished in shiny silver. The luminous dots appear to be original and are positioned on the outer of the elongated baton markers. The case is in remarkably crisp and sharp condition, with full proportions and both the serial and reference numbers engraved between the lugs are crisp and clearly readable.
Another attractive feature of this Dato-Compax is the early US Jubilee bracelet, beautifully signed inside the clasp and easily recognizable by the oval profile of the links.
Lastly, it is a treat to any discerning collector, that this watch is still accompanied by the original Guarantee, a rarity by itself.
The overall quality and originality of this watch prompted John Goldberger, author of 100 Superlative Rolex Watches to retain this premium specimen for his book and chose to illustrate it on page 88. This testimony alone does not need further explaining.
The present watch is a beautiful example of the much sought-after Rolex reference 6236 with its charismatic dial, featuring the date ring with blue Arabic numerals and stylish blued steel arrow date hand. Whether viewed head on or from an angle, the superb face of the watch reveals its attractive two-tone silvered shine at once to the connoisseur's gaze.
The highly collectible Rolex Oyster triple calendar chronograph watches, which are also known as Dato Compax models, consist of four different series. Famed French Olympic skiing legend and Rolex enthusiast Jean-Claude Killy has sported a Dato Compax in the past and the model family hence has been dubbed by watch enthusiasts the "Jean-Claude Killy".
The three earlier series of the Dato Compax model carry the reference numbers 4767, 5036 and 6036.
Reference 6236, like this watch, is the final version of the model. It was in production between 1958 and 1962 and is easily identifiable by the larger bezel compared to its predecessors. In fact, the case of reference 6236 is made of three elements, the bezel no longer carved from the same block as the centre piece of the case.
This version is characterized by a beautiful two-tone coloured dial with outer track defined by clearly visible light blue numbers for the date, ranging from 1 to 31. Amongst all different variants, this one is one of the rarest since the number 1 for the day of the month is positioned at 12 o'clock when the majority has number 31 in this position.
Typical for Dato-Compax, all the numbers 6 and 9 are "open" and do not form a closed oval as the lines do not touch each other. Furthermore the dial retains its beautiful grainé finish and the faceted hour markers are not applied on to the dial plate but rather carved into the plate and then finished in shiny silver. The luminous dots appear to be original and are positioned on the outer of the elongated baton markers. The case is in remarkably crisp and sharp condition, with full proportions and both the serial and reference numbers engraved between the lugs are crisp and clearly readable.
Another attractive feature of this Dato-Compax is the early US Jubilee bracelet, beautifully signed inside the clasp and easily recognizable by the oval profile of the links.
Lastly, it is a treat to any discerning collector, that this watch is still accompanied by the original Guarantee, a rarity by itself.
The overall quality and originality of this watch prompted John Goldberger, author of 100 Superlative Rolex Watches to retain this premium specimen for his book and chose to illustrate it on page 88. This testimony alone does not need further explaining.