.jpg?w=1)
Lot Essay
The present watch is not only beautifully preserved and very attractive, it also has the distinction of being an extremely rare and highly desirable example of a French cased Rolex pink gold triple calendar chronograph. Only a handful of these French cased special pieces are known publically across all references and complicated models such as this watch are the rarest of all.
The reason for the existence of the “French case” is that in the climate of political instability during the immediate post-war period the French government forbade the buying of gold from any source except the French state, furthermore it was forbidden to import any finished articles in gold. This included watch cases and so a very small number of examples of both Rolex and Patek watches can be can occasionally be found with unsigned cases bearing French hallmarks from this period.
This fascinating anomaly is an important part of Rolex’s manufacturing history and, like all great Rolex rarities, it has become highly desirable to the collector.
The reason for the existence of the “French case” is that in the climate of political instability during the immediate post-war period the French government forbade the buying of gold from any source except the French state, furthermore it was forbidden to import any finished articles in gold. This included watch cases and so a very small number of examples of both Rolex and Patek watches can be can occasionally be found with unsigned cases bearing French hallmarks from this period.
This fascinating anomaly is an important part of Rolex’s manufacturing history and, like all great Rolex rarities, it has become highly desirable to the collector.