I think it’s safe to say Rolex more or less have always played it safe and pretty much stuck to the same designs for the last 100 years. For most watch brands, they don’t have that luxury and have to constantly push the envelope and out do themselves with mediocre models year after year. With Rolex, all they have to do is make some variation of a current model and that sends collectors into a frenzy over who is the first to get it. So, I was shocked to see this very rare and unusual prototype that Rolex created in 1955. This watch is being auctioned off by Christie’s Auction House in Geneva November 15, 2010.
So, what is this watch and what makes is so F’ing special? Well for starters, it’s an extremely rare and unusual aluminium and bakelite pressure gauge prototype Signed Rolex, Divomet, R D 14 x, circa 1955 Brass and nickel-finished pressure gauge, black lacquer dial, 10 feet by 10 feet indicated by a luminous triangular-shaped hand on a bright red bakelite scale calibrated for 20 units, feet indicated by the second, centred by a circular bright red bakelite cartouche with cream-coloured Rolex crown and signature “Rolex Divomet”, all applied underneath the crystal, luminous straight hand, in massive circular case, back hold by a screw down bezel and designed to hold a bracelet, dial signed, case numbered 57 mm. diam. & 27 mm. depth.
This watch is a manometro style gauge that has mad personailty and history. This watch was never produced for sale and is just one bad ass prototype. The purpose of this watch was to measure the depth’s of oceans or lakes. One of the hands the 10ft by 10ft while the other hand shows the relevant feet. The watch pre -sale estimate is between $16,000-21,000. As much as Rolex probably wont go bigger then 44 mm, they have already done it in the past and seriously reconsider.
JOHNNY FLYBACK 