Rolex Triple Date / Moonphase / early Chronograph..?

[Mike Wood]

Yes, I think I have!!

My stainless Rolex Oyster Perpetual triple date moonphase chronometer (around 80 pieces produced in stainless steel??)









Bought in Switzerland in 1954 at Bucherer for the princely sum of 590 Swiss Francs by an American gentleman, Mr Sidney J Francis, from Texas. The watch has the original bill of sale, guarantee, and other documentation, and was fully refurbished by Rolex in 2005. The calendar wheels and moonphase retain their original finish, the dial was repainted during the overhaul.

And my "Jean-Claude Killy" Rolex Oyster triple date chronograph, ref. 6036, named after the famous downhill skier and current Rolex "Ambassador". The watch came from the family of the original owner living in Guatemala. The watch dates from the early 1950's, and is fitted with the non-screw down "Super Oyster" winding crown. Obviously a manual wind watch, based on the Valjoux 72c ebauche, with apertures for the day and month, and a centrally mounted date pointer hand.



Together they make a handsome pair!!





Interestingly, the calendar on the moonphase watch has an automatic change-over on the month indicator (almost, but not quite, an annual calendar mechanism); whereas the month indicator on the JCK requires manual change-over using one of the push-pieces in the case band.

So, ahead of Basel 2012, can we expect to see Rolex relaunching a complicated piece to rival these fine 1950's watches..?

MW