Rolex Reference 8171 'Padellone' | A yellow gold triple calendar wristwatch with moon phases Circa 1952 | 勞力士 型號 8171 'Padellone' 黃金全日曆腕錶備月相顯示，製作年份約 1952

Property of an American Gentleman
Rolex

Reference 8171 'Padellone'
A yellow gold triple calendar wristwatch with moon phases Circa 1952

勞力士 型號 8171 'Padellone'
黃金全日曆腕錶備月相顯示，製作年份約 1952

Dial: silvered
Caliber: automatic
Movement number: 67'813
Case: 18k yellow gold, snap-on case back
Case number: 820'636
Closure: 18k yellow gold Rolex buckle
Size: 38 mm diameter
Signed: case, dial and movement
Box: yes
Papers: no
Accessories: Rolex presentation box with outer packaging

Condition Report:
Case: The case is in overall excellent condition. The lugs are sharp and retain strong proportions, having never been polished. The case has developed a warm patina throughout. The serial number on the case back is clear and visible. The gold marks on the side of the case and underneath the lug are clear and crisp.

Dial: The dial is in overall excellent condition. Signs of light dark surface wear in the center of the dial.

Movement: The movement is running at time of cataloging, however it was not tested for the accuracy of time or duration of the power reserve and may need service at the buyer's discretion. Please note that Sotheby's does not guarantee the future working of the movement.

Catalogue Note:
Rolex has never been known for making highly complicated watches and is mostly known for its tool watches. However, one of the most iconic Rolex models ever produced, is the complicated reference 8171 which is commonly referred to by collectors as the ‘Padellone’, which means ‘big frying pan’ in Italian, a reference not only to the size of the watch but its convex dial. Boasting a generous 38 mm case, it was extraordinarily modern in size and was a fair bit ahead of its time in this regard. Released in the 1949, a year before the reference 6062, the 8171 and 6062 represent among the most complicated watches manufactured by Rolex at the time and are the only two vintage Rolex references produced in serial with a calendar and moon-phase. The main difference between the two is that the 6062 features a 36 mm case with a screw down case back. While the 8171, like the present watch, is fitted with a snap on back and a 38 mm case. Despite its highly complicated movement, the watch is aesthetically pleasing. On the outer bezel it has the numbers for the calendar, indicated by a third hand in the center. At 6 o’clock, the watch shows the moon-phase in its sub-seconds dial, with the day and month wheels at 12 o’clock, just under the Rolex crown.

Produced until only 1952, scholars believe that no more than 350 examples of the 8171 were made in yellow gold.

For a stainless steel version, please see lot 46.