Lot Essay
Reference 6062 with Star or ‘Stelline’ hour markers is one of the most fabled and desired of all vintage Rolex. The very rarest, most beautiful and individually significant examples are today esteemed as important 20th century works of art, the most admired specimens of their kind combining all the attributes that any collector could wish for.
Today’s collectors of vintage Rolex focus very much on condition and originality, and at the highest level those few individual watches that have, as the French say, that certain ‘je ne sais quoi’ - a pleasing quality that cannot be exactly named or described. This charmingly original and at the same time highly impressive yellow gold reference 6062 ‘Stelline’ without doubt has this quality in abundance. Christie’s is therefore incredibly honoured to be able to offer this wonderful wristwatch here at auction for, to the best of our knowledge, the first time.
Featuring the most exclusive of all dial versions, ‘Type 755, Mark 1’, with luminous star-shaped hour markers. The sublime richly grainé matte silvered surface has never been disturbed, restored or reprinted, the day and month windows are sharp and defined, the luminous material of both the markers and hands show no indication of interference and the blue date numerals have preserved their strong colour. Equally, the case has been spared from insensitive polishing, the serial and reference numbers between the lugs have also survived in remarkably crisp and original condition, as has the hallmark on the back of the lower right-hand lug. The correctors in the side of the case and pinholes for the strap spring bars are crisp and strongly defined, as is the crown and the machined edge of the caseback.
Uniting rarity, mechanical complexity and superlative condition, the present reference 6062 ‘Stelline’ represents a golden opportunity for the discerning collector of the finest vintage Rolex watches to add this legendary model to his or her collection.
REFERENCE 6062 - AN OVERVIEW
Following the launch of the ‘Oyster’ case in the mid-1940s, Rolex introduced a variety of different models with a diversity of movements for the celebrated waterproof case. The most prestigious version was reference 6062, upgraded with a full calendar and moon phase indication and fitted with an in-house automatic movement. Introduced at the Basel Fair of 1950 and produced for approximately 10 years, it is one of only two Rolex models to feature a triple calendar, the other being the so-called ‘Padellone’ reference 8171. These two models were Rolex’s only watches ever made in series with moon phases, until the introduction of the Cellini reference 50535 in 2017. The difference between ref. 6062 and 8171 is the case: reference 6062 is fitted with the iconic Rolex ‘Oyster’ case whereas reference 8171 features a snap-on back. Reference 6062 was available in yellow gold, pink gold and stainless steel.
Ref. 6062 - Dials
The dials were probably made by Beyeler and delivered and mounted by Stern Frères, six known dial variants exist for ref. 6062, the famous star or 'Stelline' dials are distinguished by their matte grainé silvered finish, blue date scale and gold stars with either luminous accents or separate luminous dots next to the stars. The moon phase of blue champlevé enamel on a gold plate was supplied by Stern Frères.
Ref. 6062 Cases
The two-piece gold waterproof ‘Oyster’ cases for reference 6062 were made by Genex in Geneva. Originally the case department of Gay Frères, it later became a Rolex company. The casemaker’s mark for Genex, a number 12 inside a key, is punched on the inside of the case backs. Two kinds of crowns are seen on this reference, the most usual is the Super-Oyster, some examples are known with a Twin-Lock crown including the present watch.
Ref. 6062 Movements
The movement used for the ref. 6062 was the calibre 655, especially developed for the model. It was available with either 25 or 26 jewels, depending if the movement base was 17 or 18 jewels (17 was mostly for the US Market were taxes were much higher for 18 jewels) and fitted with the latest patented Rolex Super-Balance. The automatic module is modified to let the calendar pushers through the case band.
Today’s collectors of vintage Rolex focus very much on condition and originality, and at the highest level those few individual watches that have, as the French say, that certain ‘je ne sais quoi’ - a pleasing quality that cannot be exactly named or described. This charmingly original and at the same time highly impressive yellow gold reference 6062 ‘Stelline’ without doubt has this quality in abundance. Christie’s is therefore incredibly honoured to be able to offer this wonderful wristwatch here at auction for, to the best of our knowledge, the first time.
Featuring the most exclusive of all dial versions, ‘Type 755, Mark 1’, with luminous star-shaped hour markers. The sublime richly grainé matte silvered surface has never been disturbed, restored or reprinted, the day and month windows are sharp and defined, the luminous material of both the markers and hands show no indication of interference and the blue date numerals have preserved their strong colour. Equally, the case has been spared from insensitive polishing, the serial and reference numbers between the lugs have also survived in remarkably crisp and original condition, as has the hallmark on the back of the lower right-hand lug. The correctors in the side of the case and pinholes for the strap spring bars are crisp and strongly defined, as is the crown and the machined edge of the caseback.
Uniting rarity, mechanical complexity and superlative condition, the present reference 6062 ‘Stelline’ represents a golden opportunity for the discerning collector of the finest vintage Rolex watches to add this legendary model to his or her collection.
REFERENCE 6062 - AN OVERVIEW
Following the launch of the ‘Oyster’ case in the mid-1940s, Rolex introduced a variety of different models with a diversity of movements for the celebrated waterproof case. The most prestigious version was reference 6062, upgraded with a full calendar and moon phase indication and fitted with an in-house automatic movement. Introduced at the Basel Fair of 1950 and produced for approximately 10 years, it is one of only two Rolex models to feature a triple calendar, the other being the so-called ‘Padellone’ reference 8171. These two models were Rolex’s only watches ever made in series with moon phases, until the introduction of the Cellini reference 50535 in 2017. The difference between ref. 6062 and 8171 is the case: reference 6062 is fitted with the iconic Rolex ‘Oyster’ case whereas reference 8171 features a snap-on back. Reference 6062 was available in yellow gold, pink gold and stainless steel.
Ref. 6062 - Dials
The dials were probably made by Beyeler and delivered and mounted by Stern Frères, six known dial variants exist for ref. 6062, the famous star or 'Stelline' dials are distinguished by their matte grainé silvered finish, blue date scale and gold stars with either luminous accents or separate luminous dots next to the stars. The moon phase of blue champlevé enamel on a gold plate was supplied by Stern Frères.
Ref. 6062 Cases
The two-piece gold waterproof ‘Oyster’ cases for reference 6062 were made by Genex in Geneva. Originally the case department of Gay Frères, it later became a Rolex company. The casemaker’s mark for Genex, a number 12 inside a key, is punched on the inside of the case backs. Two kinds of crowns are seen on this reference, the most usual is the Super-Oyster, some examples are known with a Twin-Lock crown including the present watch.
Ref. 6062 Movements
The movement used for the ref. 6062 was the calibre 655, especially developed for the model. It was available with either 25 or 26 jewels, depending if the movement base was 17 or 18 jewels (17 was mostly for the US Market were taxes were much higher for 18 jewels) and fitted with the latest patented Rolex Super-Balance. The automatic module is modified to let the calendar pushers through the case band.