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Lot Essay
Rolex launched the turn-o-graph in 1953. It was intended as a more affordable chronograph wristwatch, the chronograph being the revolving bezel: by setting the zero mark at the minute hand’s position, one can subsequently read the elapsed minutes on the bezel. This was a very simple and ingenious solution, but competition from the Submariner and the advent of the GMT in 1954 – both models presenting a similar revolving bezel which could be used in the same way – decreed the quick demise of the turn-o-graph which, with a lifespan of about three year from 53 to 56, is among the shortest-lived product lines in the history of the company, and thus one of the scarcest and most collectible.
In fact, even though reference 6202 was in production for a short time, there are a number of different dial designs available. The present one, featuring the red depth rating at 6 o’ clock is indisputably among the rarest. Furthermore, the dial is fully original, down to the luminous material. A note of historical interest is given by the fact that the present example is among the first to feature the Mercedes hands, which are introduced right around this time.
The case as well presents interesting details, such as the perfectly preserved Brevet designation engraved between the lugs, and the matching brevet crown with the cross. The number 18 stamped under the lug and then again inside the back stems from a difficult import procedure into the United States which occurred for a short time around that period. In order to facilitate importation, this number was at the time engraved on the inside and outside of the watch, and it indicates the case maker for the piece, in this case Genex, Rolex case maker of choice at the time. Finally, a very faint digit “1” can be noticed just before the case number. It is supposed this detail, found on other cases from this period, is the result of a manufacturing mishap.
In fact, even though reference 6202 was in production for a short time, there are a number of different dial designs available. The present one, featuring the red depth rating at 6 o’ clock is indisputably among the rarest. Furthermore, the dial is fully original, down to the luminous material. A note of historical interest is given by the fact that the present example is among the first to feature the Mercedes hands, which are introduced right around this time.
The case as well presents interesting details, such as the perfectly preserved Brevet designation engraved between the lugs, and the matching brevet crown with the cross. The number 18 stamped under the lug and then again inside the back stems from a difficult import procedure into the United States which occurred for a short time around that period. In order to facilitate importation, this number was at the time engraved on the inside and outside of the watch, and it indicates the case maker for the piece, in this case Genex, Rolex case maker of choice at the time. Finally, a very faint digit “1” can be noticed just before the case number. It is supposed this detail, found on other cases from this period, is the result of a manufacturing mishap.