105th Auction

2021/11/13

Lot 25

Rolex
Antimagnetic

A stunning and extremely rare, vintage antimagnetic wrist chronograph with 30 min. counter and tachy scale

Sold

estimated
32.00045.000 €
Price realized
45.000 €
specific features
Case
18 K gold, push back.
Dial
Silvered.
Movement
Manual.
Case no.56807
Ref.3695
Cal.Valjoux
Diam.36 mm
Circa1940
Ctry.Switzerland
Wt.200 g


The vintage Rolex reference 3695 rarely ever appears on the market and neither literature nor internet research yields much information on this model.
Watch enthusiasts and experts believe that reference 3695 is amongst the rarest Rolex chronograph watches ever and that it was only produced for a very short period from 1940 to 1941.
The present example is in magnificent condition. The exquisitely aged, silvered dial features an outer tachymeter scale and two sunken subsidiary registers. The dial was presumably professionally restored in parts.
The 36 mm case is impressive and unusually large for the period; it has a sharp Rolex coronet on the back and incredibly crisp case and reference numbers. It is likely that the watch has hardly been worn during its 81-year life span, as the different surface finishes are beautifully preserved.