拍品專文
With Bureaux Suisses de Contrôle de la Marche des Montres Rate Certificate No. 166729 for movement no. 10369 dated 23 November 1950 and insurance valuation form from Dunklings The Jewellers in Melbourne dated 14 March 1965. Furthermore delivered with Rolex Chronometer oiling certificate with separate Rolex oiling note dated 16 December 1952 and Rolex contemporary wooden green presentation box on four feet and containing two compartments.
The present reference 8171 is unquestionably amongst the best preserved examples of the legendary "Padellone" to appear in public in recent years. Equally important is certainly the fact that no other example of this model is believed to have been offered at auction still retaining the original Bulletin de Marche and Rolex Chronometer certificate, both rarities by themselves.
The case shows oxidation, characteristics of a watch which has not been used in a long time. Its proportions are full, the edges to the bezel and lugs are sharp and the gold stamp to the side is still very crisp leading to the conclusion that it has hardly ever been polished if at all. The case back bears stamped Dublin import marks for 1953.
The highly attractive dial has evidently never been touched and is as perfectly preserved as a dial can be after half a century.
This watch with its full and incredibly crisp case, the perfectly aged and appealing dial, the original documentation and contemporary presentation box, must be considered one of the best opportunities for the Rolex connoisseur to add a trophy specimen to his collection.
Rolex has produced only two different models of moonphase wristwatches, references 8171 and 6062. Both models are automatic. However, reference 8171 has a snap on back, while reference 6062, the Oyster version, has a water-resistant-type screw back.
Reference 8171 is considered very rare as it was produced in a small series between 1949 and 1952. It was made in stainless steel, 18K pink or yellow gold.
An example of this model, reference 8171, is illustrated in The Best of Time - Rolex Wristwatches by James M. Dowling & Jeffrey P. Hess, p. 209.
The present reference 8171 is unquestionably amongst the best preserved examples of the legendary "Padellone" to appear in public in recent years. Equally important is certainly the fact that no other example of this model is believed to have been offered at auction still retaining the original Bulletin de Marche and Rolex Chronometer certificate, both rarities by themselves.
The case shows oxidation, characteristics of a watch which has not been used in a long time. Its proportions are full, the edges to the bezel and lugs are sharp and the gold stamp to the side is still very crisp leading to the conclusion that it has hardly ever been polished if at all. The case back bears stamped Dublin import marks for 1953.
The highly attractive dial has evidently never been touched and is as perfectly preserved as a dial can be after half a century.
This watch with its full and incredibly crisp case, the perfectly aged and appealing dial, the original documentation and contemporary presentation box, must be considered one of the best opportunities for the Rolex connoisseur to add a trophy specimen to his collection.
Rolex has produced only two different models of moonphase wristwatches, references 8171 and 6062. Both models are automatic. However, reference 8171 has a snap on back, while reference 6062, the Oyster version, has a water-resistant-type screw back.
Reference 8171 is considered very rare as it was produced in a small series between 1949 and 1952. It was made in stainless steel, 18K pink or yellow gold.
An example of this model, reference 8171, is illustrated in The Best of Time - Rolex Wristwatches by James M. Dowling & Jeffrey P. Hess, p. 209.