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Lot Essay
Reference 6036 was the part of the celebrated “Dato-Compax” or so called “Jean-Claude Killy” family of complete calendar chronograph models from Rolex incorporating one of the most sophisticated movements ever used by the company: the Valjoux 72C.
These “Dato-Compax” watches (references 4768, 5036, 6036, and 6236) are linked to the legendary Olympic gold medalist Jean-Claude Killy and this family of calendar chronograph wristwatches are often given his name in the same way that Paul Newman is associated with exotic Rolex Daytona dials. A champion alpine skier and man of extremely refined taste, the name of Mr. Killy has been associated with Rolex for 40 years since he became an official Rolex Ambassador, serving on the Rolex Board of Directors. Reference 6036 was available with various dial layouts, cased in stainless steel, pink gold, and yellow gold.
This particular example of reference 6036 is distinguished by its absolutely exceptional condition, rarely seen on a watch of this age, representing one of the finest examples to come to auction in recent years. With a case maintaining all of the original finish and angles with crisp, shaped edges, engraved numbers between the lugs, as well as a bracelet displaying virtually no signs of wear making for a tight, factory fresh feeling, this really is an exemplary sample of this iconic reference.
Moreover, the dial truly shows the distinctively wonderful level of preservation of this watch: aged to a handsome ivory tone during its 60 years, with recessed pyramid markers distinctive to this model, and with the calendar numerals faded to a subdued blue. Further enhanced by its original hands and lacking luminous accents which can cause excessive degradation to the dial over time, this watch really can be considered one of the most attractive illustrations of the 6036 and represents an increasingly rare opportunity for a discerning collector to acquire an unmolested example of what was for a long time, the most complicated watch Rolex produced.
These “Dato-Compax” watches (references 4768, 5036, 6036, and 6236) are linked to the legendary Olympic gold medalist Jean-Claude Killy and this family of calendar chronograph wristwatches are often given his name in the same way that Paul Newman is associated with exotic Rolex Daytona dials. A champion alpine skier and man of extremely refined taste, the name of Mr. Killy has been associated with Rolex for 40 years since he became an official Rolex Ambassador, serving on the Rolex Board of Directors. Reference 6036 was available with various dial layouts, cased in stainless steel, pink gold, and yellow gold.
This particular example of reference 6036 is distinguished by its absolutely exceptional condition, rarely seen on a watch of this age, representing one of the finest examples to come to auction in recent years. With a case maintaining all of the original finish and angles with crisp, shaped edges, engraved numbers between the lugs, as well as a bracelet displaying virtually no signs of wear making for a tight, factory fresh feeling, this really is an exemplary sample of this iconic reference.
Moreover, the dial truly shows the distinctively wonderful level of preservation of this watch: aged to a handsome ivory tone during its 60 years, with recessed pyramid markers distinctive to this model, and with the calendar numerals faded to a subdued blue. Further enhanced by its original hands and lacking luminous accents which can cause excessive degradation to the dial over time, this watch really can be considered one of the most attractive illustrations of the 6036 and represents an increasingly rare opportunity for a discerning collector to acquire an unmolested example of what was for a long time, the most complicated watch Rolex produced.
