An unprecedented occasion for collectors: rarely seen before, Christie’s lot 207 has evoked a passionate response. A watch bracelet made of 18-caratgold; extreme finesse enclosed within a dial that acts like a shield of enamel and stars. This cloisonné dial is the work of Swiss artist Marguerite Koch. Featuring images of the whale and a frigate ship in troubles waters, the watch is a pure marvel. First imagined in 1949, this unique piece is equipped with automatic movement; in addition, the star-shaped numerals are engraved in gold. Obtained using the best pigments, the mirific colors were applied with extreme precision and lead to striking results. This is a crowing achievement in the field of chronography.
It is, according to Christie’s, the oldest know Rolex cloisonné enamel dial known to exist. Everything about this watch is exceptionally rare. So fabulous that Christie’s insists: “the spectacular quality of this watch is difficult to express with words.” Extremely coveted by a horde of passionate collectors from the corners of the Earth, this is a technical masterpiece of cloisonné enamel. All it takes is one look to appreciate its beauty; is has what one calls a rainbow casing. Ever since its last appearance at auction in 2005, its natural oxydation has resulted in a darker coloring of the golden body that is particulary visible on the caseband, a consequence of the preservation technique used. Naturally, buyers snatched this iconic piece right up, setting a new world sales record for a Rolex: Close to 900,000€.
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