SIGNED ROLEX, REF. 8171, CASE NO. (NOT VISIBLE), BATCH NUMBER 154, CIRCA 1950

Only produced for three years beginning in 1949, the Rolex reference 8171 'Padellone', or frying pan in Italian, is one of the most intriguing, rare, ultra collectible, and unusual watches ever made by the manufacturer. It is a very unusual watch because the case is oversized measuring at contemporary 38 mm. with a snap-on caseback. Most importantly, the watch features a triple calendar, only one of two Rolex models (the other being reference 6062) to ever feature a moon phases indicator until the release of the 2017 Cellini. Offered in 14k yellow gold, 18k yellow gold, and steel, the shortly produced timepiece was delivered with different dial configurations, hands, diamond hour marker options.

Fresh to market and from the family of the original owner, the present lot is a wonderful 18k yellow gold example that features a beautiful, unrestored, mark 1 series dial. It is distinguished by the short “stubby” crown, and the dial has developed an overall even patina from the decades of honest wear and endearment. The watch also features gold Alpha hands that wonderfully complement the bullet style hour markers. Interestingly, the 6 o’clock marker is a simple rounded gold pearl. With approximately only 1500 examples produced over the short 3-year production period, roughly 200 of them have returned to market, adding to the elusive nature of this timepiece. This 8171 'Padellone' wears wonderful and large, matching contemporary tastes and preferences and presents as an incredible and rare opportunity to own a complicated, vintage Rolex that will comfortably fit any wrist size.