124,500 CHF
"U. S. Marine Prototype" Rolex, Oyster Perpetual Date, U.S. Marine, Superlative Chronometer, Officially Certified, Ref. 1690, movement No. 024510. Prototype made in two examples in 1982, for the US. Marines, production was never undertaken. Exceptionally rare and very fine, asymmetrical, center-seconds, self-winding, water-resistant, stainless steel military wristwatch with U.S. Marine logo in red, and a stainless steel extendable Oyster bracelet. three-body, massive, polished and brushed, screwed-down case back and crown, 12-hour graduated revolving steel bezel, protected by the hooded lugs, "Triplock" winding-crown at 4 o’clock protected by a "Crown Guard", domed crystal, elongated lugs with detachable hoods, the screw-down back engraved "U.S. Marine", and twice engraved with the Rolex crown. black with tritium-coated round and triangular indexes outer red Arabic five minutes, aperture for the date, "U.S. Marine" in red writing. Tritium-coated steel "Skeleton" hands. Cal. 1570, rhodium-plated, "oeil-deperdrix" decoration, 26 jewels, straight line lever escapement, monometallic balance adjusted to temperatures and 5 positions, shock-absorber, self-compensating free-sprung Breguet balance-spring, Microstella regulating screws. Dial, case and movement signed.Dim. 58 X 44 mm. Notes This is the first watch known to be sold at auction, with dial marked "U.S.Marine". The case of this watch is perfectly engineered for heavy military use. Its large size ensures
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
2004-04-24
