Ref. 6102A spectacular, extremely rare and well preserved yellow gold wristwatch with cloisonné enamel dial depicting a caravel and original Bucherer certificate
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, Ref. 6102
A spectacular, extremely rare and well preserved yellow gold wristwatch with cloisonné enamel dial depicting a caravel and original Bucherer certificate, Circa 1953
32mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed Condition Report
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Manufacturer
:
Rolex
Year
:
Circa 1953
Reference No
:
6102
Movement No
:
62114/F11'124
Case No
:
902'600
Model Name
:
"La Caravelle"
Material
:
18k yellow gold
Calibre
:
Automatic, cal. 645, 18 jewels
Bracelet/Strap
:
Leather
Clasp/Buckle
:
Original yellow gold Rolex pin buckle
Dimensions
:
32mm Diameter
Signed
:
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
Accessories
:
Accompanied by the original Bucherer Guarantee dated May 21st, 1957
Provenance
:
Christie's New York, 12 April 2006, lot 339
Phillips Geneva Watch Auction: TWO 7 & 8 Nov 2015, lot 162
Provenance
Christie's New York, 12 April 2006, lot 339
Phillips Geneva Watch Auction: TWO 7 & 8 Nov 2015, lot 162
Catalogue Essay
A timeless design, an exquisite cloisonné enamel dial, a historic brand and ultimate rarity make the present lot a trophy watch for the most discerning collectors.
The spectacular cloisonné enamel dial of this masterpiece represents a Caravel (a small, fast Spanish or Portuguese sailing ship of the 15th–17th centuries) and made by one of Geneva’s most acclaimed enamellers, Margueritte Koch, who worked with Stern to produce the enamel dials of some of the most sought after Rolex watches to date.
The dial depicts a wonderful scene featuring a multi-colored boat at sea, topped with faceted baton hour markers. The dial made by Stern Frères is inscribed on the back with a number 103*389 The outer dial is finished with pearl-like minute markers, further enhancing its beauty.
To create a cloisonné enamel dial, the artist first marks out the outline of the motifs using a fine gold wire to separate the various enamel regions. The artist then applies various enamel layers depending on the desired colors, while maintaining a very strict order in terms of the nature of the enamels according to the rules governing the firing process. This meticulous operation involves numerous successive firing operations in the kiln serving to intensify the color and light effects as well as the gradation of the materials. A dangerous process as at each firing the dial can break or the enamel may react differently to the heat, resulting in a high rejection rate.
The line of provenance of the present ref 6102 is as exceptional as the watch itself, as from 1954 to 2006 it was in the family of the original owner, in 2006 it was first auctioned at Christie's New York and remained with an important private collector until 2015 where it was sold at Phillips and now coming back to Phillips close to a decade later.
This ref 6102 remains in incredible condition, still retaining its diamond finished, mirror polished curvature. The dial is free of fissures or cracks and the colors remain vibrant with hues of blue, green, yellow and red.
The watch is fitted with the original 18k yellow gold Rolex buckle, which is a rarity by itself. Accompanied by the original Rolex guarantee, retailed by Bucherer, in addition to its unworn condition and exclusivity factor, it is one of the most spectacular examples for any collector.
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Artist Biography
Rolex
Swiss
• 1905
Founded in 1905 England by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis as Wilsdorf & Davis, it soon became known as the Rolex Watch Company in 1915, moving its headquarters to Geneva in 1919. Like no other company, the success of the wristwatch can be attributed to many of Rolex's innovations that made them one of the most respected and well-known of all luxury brands. These innovations include their famous "Oyster" case — the world's first water resistant and dustproof watch case, invented in 1926 — and their "Perpetual" — the first reliable self-winding movement for wristwatches launched in 1933. They would form the foundation for Rolex's Datejust and Day-Date, respectively introduced in 1945 and 1956, but also importantly for their sports watches, such as the Explorer, Submariner and GMT-Master launched in the mid-1950s.
One of its most famous models is the Cosmograph Daytona. Launched in 1963, these chronographs are without any doubt amongst the most iconic and coveted of all collectible wristwatches. Other key collectible models include their most complicated vintage watches, including references 8171 and 6062 with triple calendar and moon phase, "Jean Claude Killy" triple date chronograph models and the Submariner, including early "big-crown" models and military-issued variants.
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Ref. 6102
A spectacular, extremely rare and well preserved yellow gold wristwatch with cloisonné enamel dial depicting a caravel and original Bucherer certificate
