Last month we had the pleasure of perusing this rare bird. The Rolex Triple Calendar ref. 6062 from 1953 that sold at the Phillips Watches Geneva Watch Auction FIVE for almsot $2 Million USD is one of the most expensive 6062s ever sold at auction. With the interior of its case back stamped III.53, this Rolex ref. 6062 measures 36 mm in diameter and is fitted with a stainless steel case and a two-tone dial. Few watches can cause fervor and excitement among collectors like this mythical reference 6062. While Rolex is particularly known for its sports models, the brand has only ever produced two references that feature a triple calendar complication with moonphases. While the present watch, reference 6062 features a screw down Oyster case back, its sibling reference 8171 is fitted with a snap-on case back.
Launched at the Basel fair in 1950, reference 6062 was the first automatic wristwatch with date and moonphases that was housed in a waterproof case. Cased in stainless steel, yellow gold or pink gold, the model was fitted with a number of dial variations. Among the most exclusive and desirable versions are ones cased in stainless steel, with no more than two dozen examples having survived in different conditions, surfacing on the market thus far.
In excellent and unrestored condition, this rare bird is without a doubt the most impressive stainless steel reference 6062 to ever appear in the market and a true watch collecting gem for the most demanding collectors and watch scholars.
Featuring Arabic numerals at 3 and 9 o'clock, this Rolex Triple Calendar ref. 6062 in stainless steel with moonphases features a lacquered silvered finish in the main portion of the dial, along with a ivory grené outer ring, providing great contrast and depth to the watch.
The angled date and day apertures demonstrate the dial's originality, along with the sharp track where the moonphase aperture meets the rim of the subsidiary dial. The luminous material is placed exactly where it should be - precisely outside the silver-colored faceted relief hour markers and next to the Arabic numerals, reflecting Rolex's extremely stringent standards in quality. The outer date ring, is also correct and the printing displays an inky blue hue which one would expect on an original example. The font is correct, with the characteristic 'open 6s and 9s'.
Considering the watch is over sixty years of age, it is remarkable that the dial has not been spotted or tarnished. This example remains free of noticeable imperfections in part to its waterproof Oyster case that still bears "Modele Depose" and "Registered Design" on the case back, interspersed with a curved rectangular design.
This dial, coupled with a stainless steel case, makers for a particularly impressive combination, really embodying the characteristics of a most classic iteration of reference 6062 cased in stainless steel. During the period, stainless steel wristwatches were often bought for everyday wear. The fact is even more pertinent as stainless steel examples retailed for much less than their yellow gold counterparts, hence at the time, considered not as "valuable". Today, this particular watch is one of the most expensive Rolex watches ever sold at auction. Consequently, many surviving examples are not preserved in their original form, and heavily polished or corroded due to their function as a "tool watch". Barely a handful today exist is original condition, and often break world records when they do appear on the market just like this particular watch did on May 14th, 2017.
This rare bird Rolex Triple Calendar ref. 6062 in stainless steel with moonphases and two-tone dial is a true watch collectors dream and a watch that set a record At the Phillips Watches Geneva Watch Auction FIVE selling for CHF1,930,000 Swiss Francs including buyer's fees —at today's exchange rate approximately $1,987,900 USD.
For more info on Phillips Watches and the rest of the lots click here.
