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Lot Essay
The present example of reference 8171 is an extremely appealing representative of this rarified, attractive and extremely sought-after model. Not only it is preserved in excellent, fully original condition, but it furthermore impresses the beholder with its two-tone, luminous dial. Both the two-tone finish and the luminous accents are not standard to all 8171s, boosting the rarity of this piece, its aesthetic appeal, and its vintage vibe as well: the two-tone finish being typical of timepieces from the 1940s and late 1930s.
Reference 8171, together with reference 6062, combines a triple calendar with moon phases and an automatic movement. This set of complications makes it one of the most technically advanced vintage Rolex references, possibly comparable only to the triple calendar chronographs and the split second chronographs. However, while calendar watches and chronograph watches will be present in Rolex catalogues also in subsequent years, well more than half a century will pass before Rolex releases another moon phases timepiece: reference 50535 Cellini Moonphase, presented this year at Baselworld.
Of the two vintage moon phases references, reference 8171 – a.k.a. “Padellone” by Italian collectors due to its distinctive “frying pan” shape – was in production for a by far shorter time: only about three years between 1949 and 1952. Mainly produced in steel, examples in gold, steel and gold, and pink gold are also known. These versions are even scarcer their already very rare steel peers. It is estimated that only about 350 examples of the pink gold version were ever made, with little more than 30 known from the market.
The case maker for this reference was La-Chaux-De-Fonds based Favre-Perret, identified by its hallmark of a hammer with inside number 115. It is worth mentioning how reference 6062 and reference 8171, albeit offering the exact same set of complications and dial layout, do not share the movement. The movement of reference 8171 was specifically designed to fit into the larger case of this reference. The dials were suppplied by two companies: Beyeler and Stern. The version with Arabic “12” numeral was produced by Beyeler, while the version with full baton numerals, such as the present one, was made by Stern.
Reference 8171, together with reference 6062, combines a triple calendar with moon phases and an automatic movement. This set of complications makes it one of the most technically advanced vintage Rolex references, possibly comparable only to the triple calendar chronographs and the split second chronographs. However, while calendar watches and chronograph watches will be present in Rolex catalogues also in subsequent years, well more than half a century will pass before Rolex releases another moon phases timepiece: reference 50535 Cellini Moonphase, presented this year at Baselworld.
Of the two vintage moon phases references, reference 8171 – a.k.a. “Padellone” by Italian collectors due to its distinctive “frying pan” shape – was in production for a by far shorter time: only about three years between 1949 and 1952. Mainly produced in steel, examples in gold, steel and gold, and pink gold are also known. These versions are even scarcer their already very rare steel peers. It is estimated that only about 350 examples of the pink gold version were ever made, with little more than 30 known from the market.
The case maker for this reference was La-Chaux-De-Fonds based Favre-Perret, identified by its hallmark of a hammer with inside number 115. It is worth mentioning how reference 6062 and reference 8171, albeit offering the exact same set of complications and dial layout, do not share the movement. The movement of reference 8171 was specifically designed to fit into the larger case of this reference. The dials were suppplied by two companies: Beyeler and Stern. The version with Arabic “12” numeral was produced by Beyeler, while the version with full baton numerals, such as the present one, was made by Stern.