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Lot Essay
The present reference 6090 is a fine representative of the so-called "Bombé" family, French for "domed", referring to the unusual shape of the finely sculpted lugs.
It is one of the exceedingly rare examples fitted with a charismatic black lacquer dial enhanced by the much sought-after star-shaped indexes. In fact, to date only one other ref. 6090 with this configuration is believed to have appeared at public auction, however cased in 14K, sold in this saleroom on 11 November 2013, lot 346.
Although Rolex used a variety of dial manufacturers in the 1950s, dials featuring star numerals were exclusively supplied by Stern Frères. Two different versions were available, one with luminous dots placed next to the stars, such as the present example, the second with the luminous material to the inside of the stars.
Each dial was individually stamped with a number code and Stern Frères star symbol. The present dial is stamped 103*989 2, the number 103 being the Stern Frères code for Rolex, 989 referring to the dial type and 2 indicating that it is the second example of this particular dial made.
The present ref. 6090 was submitted to Rolex Geneva in 2018, an estimate for a vintage restoration was obtained but refused by its owner.
Stern Frères
Founded in 1898 in Geneva by Henri Stern and his wife Louise, the company soon distinguished itself as a superior dial maker. By the mid-1950s, the company was unanimously considered the best dial maker in the market. Over the years the firm supplied prominent manufacturers such as Patek Philippe, Rolex, Longines, Breguet, Cartier, Vacheron Constantin, Omega and IWC, to name but a few.
It is one of the exceedingly rare examples fitted with a charismatic black lacquer dial enhanced by the much sought-after star-shaped indexes. In fact, to date only one other ref. 6090 with this configuration is believed to have appeared at public auction, however cased in 14K, sold in this saleroom on 11 November 2013, lot 346.
Although Rolex used a variety of dial manufacturers in the 1950s, dials featuring star numerals were exclusively supplied by Stern Frères. Two different versions were available, one with luminous dots placed next to the stars, such as the present example, the second with the luminous material to the inside of the stars.
Each dial was individually stamped with a number code and Stern Frères star symbol. The present dial is stamped 103*989 2, the number 103 being the Stern Frères code for Rolex, 989 referring to the dial type and 2 indicating that it is the second example of this particular dial made.
The present ref. 6090 was submitted to Rolex Geneva in 2018, an estimate for a vintage restoration was obtained but refused by its owner.
Stern Frères
Founded in 1898 in Geneva by Henri Stern and his wife Louise, the company soon distinguished itself as a superior dial maker. By the mid-1950s, the company was unanimously considered the best dial maker in the market. Over the years the firm supplied prominent manufacturers such as Patek Philippe, Rolex, Longines, Breguet, Cartier, Vacheron Constantin, Omega and IWC, to name but a few.