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Lot Essay
Reference 4537 is considered amongst the rarest gems in the Rolex Oyster chronograph family. Made for a very short period only, more specifically in 1946, it was the first chronograph by Rolex with three subsidiary dials and the modernized "tonneau-shaped" Oyster case. In fact, it replaced reference 4048, which still featured the more round "Calatrava-style" case.
The present reference 4537 stands out by virtue of its blue pulsation scale, instead of the more common combination of tachymetre and telemetre scales, on an attractive three-tone silvered dial with beautiful shine. The watch is also preserved in remarkably crisp condition for its age with nicely brushed lugs, polished bezel, intact pushers and sharp milling on the back.
A predecessor of reference 6034, reference 4537 was available in yellow gold, pink gold and in stainless steel. Research shows that Rolex produced probably no more than 100 watches of this reference, both the steel and gold version combined.
Different examples of reference 4537 are described and illustrated in I Cronografi Rolex - La Leggenda, Pucci Papaleo Editore, pp. 222-227, and in 100 Superlative Rolex Watches by John Goldberger, p. 112.
The present reference 4537 stands out by virtue of its blue pulsation scale, instead of the more common combination of tachymetre and telemetre scales, on an attractive three-tone silvered dial with beautiful shine. The watch is also preserved in remarkably crisp condition for its age with nicely brushed lugs, polished bezel, intact pushers and sharp milling on the back.
A predecessor of reference 6034, reference 4537 was available in yellow gold, pink gold and in stainless steel. Research shows that Rolex produced probably no more than 100 watches of this reference, both the steel and gold version combined.
Different examples of reference 4537 are described and illustrated in I Cronografi Rolex - La Leggenda, Pucci Papaleo Editore, pp. 222-227, and in 100 Superlative Rolex Watches by John Goldberger, p. 112.