The year 2008marks the 100th anniversary of Rolex. Antiquorum Auctioneers, the world’s leading auction house for timepieces, will celebrate this important event with the exceptional sale “Revolution: The Evolution of the Rolex Sport Watch” on April 17th at Antiquorum’s US headquarters located at 595 Madison Avenue in New York City.
Rolex revolutionized the concept of the sport watch with the invention of the Rolex “Oyster”, the first water-proof and air tight wristwatch that survived Mercedes Gleitze’s swim across the English Channel lasting 15 hours, after which the watch functioned perfectly; thus marking the true birth of the sport watch.
Following this great invention were many subsequent developments including the Explorer, the Turn-o-Graph, the Submariner, the Cosmograph, the Milgauss, the Sea-Dweller, and the Explorer II. These Rolex watches were among the first to be created for use in specific professions or recreational pursuits.
Rolex’s 100 year history is a testament to its constant evolution and product development. The sport watches that we wear today are products of this dedication to progress. Antiquorum’s upcoming April 17th sale will offer a glimpse into this evolution of the Rolex sport watch and the impact the revolutionary “Oyster” case has had on the entire industry. Antiquorum has the best available examples to represent the historical development of these important timepieces.
Click here for Rolex's current collection.
Picture shows, from left to right:
Rolex “SBS” Submariner Ref. 5517
Oyster Perpetual, Submariner, 660 ft= 2oo m”. Made in 1972 for the British Special Boat Service and issued in 1978. Center-seconds, self-winding, water-resistant, stainless steel military diver’s wristwatch with black bezel with 60- minute divisions and fixed bar lugs.
Estimate: $ 80,000 - $ 100,000
Rolex Comex Ref. 168000
Rolex Comex “ Submariner 1000 ft = 300m” Ref 168000. Made for Comex in 1988. Center- seconds, self-winding, water-resistant, stainless steel diver’s wristwatch without helium escape valve and gloss dial. It is believed 100 examples of this reference were made for Comex.
Estimate: $ 90,000 - $ 100,000
Rolex “Turn-O-Graph” Ref. 6202 – “Turn-O-Graph” with white honeycomb dial and revolving bezel. Made in 1953, sold in 1954.
Estimate: $ 30,000 - $ 50,000.
