Lot Essay
The present "Stelline" is amongst the most appealing examples of this celebrated model in yellow gold to be offered in public in recent years, featuring the most exclusive of all dial versions with the star-shaped hour markers. Preserved in very strong, unrestored condition, it has retained the subtle lacquer finish and the original printing throughout. The luminous material to the inside of the hour markers and to the hands is possibly still the original and shows an attractive ivory-colored discoloration from age. The apertures for month and weekday display are sharp and angular, underlining the dials' untouched condition.
The case has never undergone insensitive polishing, the gold mark underneath the lower right lug and the numbers between the lugs have survived in remarkably crisp and original condition.
The seasoned collector will however immediately recognize elements normally not found on this model: the drilled pinholes to both sides of the lugs and, most importantly, a second hole in the lower left lug, just above the pinhole. As previously explained, the watch was the cherished trophy of the meticulous first owner who, wanting to avoid the possible loss of his Stelline, wore it attached to a security chain around his wrist as shown in the catalogue illustration. Fitting the chain and the gold bracelet required the use of different bracelet pins and consequently end-to-end pinholes. Amusingly a miniature pin for the setting of the calendar functions is also attached to the gold chain.
Reference 6062
In the second half of the 1940s, following the launch of the definitive "Oyster" case shape, Rolex introduced a variety of different watches with a diversity of movements for this case. It was predominantly used for the perpetual model with date window, later named DateJust, until the 1950s when a second aperture was added introducing the weekday at 12 o'clock, the celebrated Day-Date. The "Oyster" case was also produced with different chronograph movements, either with a constant seconds register or three subsidiary dials including the hour register. The most complicated chronograph version cased in the "Oyster" style is the famous "Dato-Compax", later nick-named "Killy" by collectors, featuring a full calendar on top of the chronograph mechanism.
The top-of-the-line version however was reference 6062, fitted with the in-house automatic movement, upgraded with a full calendar and moon phase indication. In production only during a few years in the first half of the 1950s, this model is considered the most important Oyster model ever made by Rolex. Reference 6062 was available in yellow gold, pink gold and stainless steel.
The case has never undergone insensitive polishing, the gold mark underneath the lower right lug and the numbers between the lugs have survived in remarkably crisp and original condition.
The seasoned collector will however immediately recognize elements normally not found on this model: the drilled pinholes to both sides of the lugs and, most importantly, a second hole in the lower left lug, just above the pinhole. As previously explained, the watch was the cherished trophy of the meticulous first owner who, wanting to avoid the possible loss of his Stelline, wore it attached to a security chain around his wrist as shown in the catalogue illustration. Fitting the chain and the gold bracelet required the use of different bracelet pins and consequently end-to-end pinholes. Amusingly a miniature pin for the setting of the calendar functions is also attached to the gold chain.
Reference 6062
In the second half of the 1940s, following the launch of the definitive "Oyster" case shape, Rolex introduced a variety of different watches with a diversity of movements for this case. It was predominantly used for the perpetual model with date window, later named DateJust, until the 1950s when a second aperture was added introducing the weekday at 12 o'clock, the celebrated Day-Date. The "Oyster" case was also produced with different chronograph movements, either with a constant seconds register or three subsidiary dials including the hour register. The most complicated chronograph version cased in the "Oyster" style is the famous "Dato-Compax", later nick-named "Killy" by collectors, featuring a full calendar on top of the chronograph mechanism.
The top-of-the-line version however was reference 6062, fitted with the in-house automatic movement, upgraded with a full calendar and moon phase indication. In production only during a few years in the first half of the 1950s, this model is considered the most important Oyster model ever made by Rolex. Reference 6062 was available in yellow gold, pink gold and stainless steel.