Before the 2012 release of the Rolex Sky-Dweller, complicated wristwatches from the brand were objects of rarity. Much of this was in part because of the fragile nature of complications clashing against the brand’s goal of creating purpose-driven watches built for everyday wear. Before the Sky-Dweller, a complicated Rolex would not see light for over half of a century with the cease in production of the present lot, Rolex reference 6236.

Reference 6236 is a wonderfully, symmetrical, triple-calendar chronograph wristwatch with a pointer-date hand. It is popularly referred to as the “Jean-Claude Killy,” a legendary Olympic skier and Rolex ambassador who was often seen sporting the timepiece on the slopes during the 1950s and 60s. The complicated timepiece is housed in a steel 36.5mm Oyster case, ensuring greater resistance against the elements.

Fresh to market and from the family of the original owner, an Oklahoma-born aircraft engineer, he purchased the timepiece in 1961 and treasured his Rolex for the next 61 years. At the age of 29, on a business trip to Europe, he spent time in the Netherlands where he ended up falling in love and marrying his Dutch wife. To celebrate their honeymoon, the newlyweds traveled to Switzerland where they delightfully skied the Alps and took in the immense beauty of Interlaken, romantically em,bodying the moniker of the watch. In town, the original owner stumbled upon Bucherer where he perused through the watches and was instantly smitten when laying his eyes upon this Rolex. Fascinated with its intricacy and precision, he could not resist treating himself to the gorgeous timepiece. He cherished his Rolex 6236 for the rest of his life eventually leaving it to his two adoring daughters, of which he can be seen wearing the watch with his oldest daughter and wife in the photo attached to this lot.