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Lot Essay
A treasured possession of the family of the original owner, the present reference 3525 is doubtlessly one of the most charismatic and exclusive examples of the legendary chronograph to be offered at auction. It is most exciting that it has never been offered in public before, and, until its debut here, remained completely unknown.
From the first production of the reference, the watch features the reference and serial number engraved to the outside of the case back as opposed to the inside of the lugs found in later models. Enhancing its appeal and collectability, the dial of the present watch features the extremely rare 'Versace Reggio Calabria' signature present towards the upper-half of its dial.
Since its beginnings in 1905, Rolex watches were sold by the world’s most exclusive jewelers and retailers, including Tiffany & Co., Serpico y Laino and Joyeria Riviera, their relevant names proudly featured on the dials. However, among these “double-signed” Rolexes the rarest and most thought-after are those retailed by the celebrated house of Versace.
This superbly preserved and fresh to the market reference 3525 represents the rare opportunity for collectors to acquire one of the rarest examples of the model.
Reference 3525
Introduced to the market in 1939, Ref. 3525 was made for the duration of the Second World War with production ending in 1945. Available in pink gold, yellow gold, stainless steel or steel and gold it was an important landmark model for Rolex, the reference being the very first chronograph wristwatch to be fitted with a water-resistant “Oyster” case with screw down crown.
Reference 3525 has the further distinction of being known as the “POW” or prisoner of war watch since it was the model supplied directly by Rolex to captured Western Allied airmen incarcerated in German camps, including Stalag Luft III made famous by the movie Great Escape starring Steve McQueen.
Versace – Gioielleria, Argenteria dal 1875
The Versace family jewellery business had been founded in 1875 by Agostino Versace in Cittanova, in the province of Reggio Calabria. In the early 1900s, his son Tullio launched a manufactory for fine jewellery and gold creations in Vicenza. In 1926, the family business returned to Calabria and the Cav. Tullio Versace Firm had been founded in Reggio and became the official retailer of the prestigious Rolex brand in 1939. The company is now run by the fourth generation of Versace.
From the first production of the reference, the watch features the reference and serial number engraved to the outside of the case back as opposed to the inside of the lugs found in later models. Enhancing its appeal and collectability, the dial of the present watch features the extremely rare 'Versace Reggio Calabria' signature present towards the upper-half of its dial.
Since its beginnings in 1905, Rolex watches were sold by the world’s most exclusive jewelers and retailers, including Tiffany & Co., Serpico y Laino and Joyeria Riviera, their relevant names proudly featured on the dials. However, among these “double-signed” Rolexes the rarest and most thought-after are those retailed by the celebrated house of Versace.
This superbly preserved and fresh to the market reference 3525 represents the rare opportunity for collectors to acquire one of the rarest examples of the model.
Reference 3525
Introduced to the market in 1939, Ref. 3525 was made for the duration of the Second World War with production ending in 1945. Available in pink gold, yellow gold, stainless steel or steel and gold it was an important landmark model for Rolex, the reference being the very first chronograph wristwatch to be fitted with a water-resistant “Oyster” case with screw down crown.
Reference 3525 has the further distinction of being known as the “POW” or prisoner of war watch since it was the model supplied directly by Rolex to captured Western Allied airmen incarcerated in German camps, including Stalag Luft III made famous by the movie Great Escape starring Steve McQueen.
Versace – Gioielleria, Argenteria dal 1875
The Versace family jewellery business had been founded in 1875 by Agostino Versace in Cittanova, in the province of Reggio Calabria. In the early 1900s, his son Tullio launched a manufactory for fine jewellery and gold creations in Vicenza. In 1926, the family business returned to Calabria and the Cav. Tullio Versace Firm had been founded in Reggio and became the official retailer of the prestigious Rolex brand in 1939. The company is now run by the fourth generation of Versace.