The Geneva Watch Auction FIVE

117.
An extremely rare and beautiful wristwatch with sweep center seconds,
star-set numerals, black lacquer dial and bracelet
During the 1950s, Rolex produced a variety of time-only
wristwatches to cater to the tastes and whims of the period.
Fitted with a rounded automatic movement, these watches
featured a larger case diameter than the fashionable “bubble
backs” of the 1930s and 1940s, thus having a greater presence
on the wrist. Rolex arguably produced some of the most
creative and attractive watches during the postwar period -
while some were ftted with a honeycomb dial, others featured
applied Arabic numerals and even cloisonné enamel works of
art. The possibilities and combinations were endless.
Among those produced, one of the most exclusive and desirable
variants of the time-only wristwatch featured a black lacquer
dial with eight faceted stars in lieu of numerals, such as the
present watch. Also known as the “Galaxy” from advertising
of the period, it was acquired by the current owner at auction
fve years ago, fetching a price of 391,709 Swiss Francs - a new
record for a time-only lacquer dial Rolex wristwatch. This record
was only recently broken, a similar watch featuring star-set
numerals having been sold at Phillips Geneva Watch Auction:
TWO for a staggering 425,000 CHF.
Sublime in so many ways, this example is one of the most
exciting, striking and beautiful time-only wristwatches
that Rolex produced in the 1950s. Lovingly preserved in
extraordinary condition since 1951, it ofers everything that a
collector could only dream of acquiring. Its rarity is unmatched,
being one of only four known time-only examples to bear this
dial confguration.