ROLEX, SWITZERLAND, REF. 6202, MONOMETER, STAINLESS STEEL
Important Modern & Vintage Timepiece
Geneva, Nov 04, 2023
ROLEX, SWITZERLAND, REF. 6202, MONOMETER, STAINLESS STEEL
An extremely rare, historically important, stainless steel, self winding diver's wristwatch
Very good
Slightly scratched
Very good
Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Very good
Slightly oxidized
HANDS Original
Brand Rolex, Switzerland
Model monometer
Reference 6202
Year 1953
Case No. 949579
Diameter 36
Caliber A260, 19 jewels
Signature Dial, Case and movement signed
Accessories spare original crystal
The Monometer is considered one of the rarest pre-Submariners based on a new reference the 6202 that would become the Turnograph.
These were launched almost simultanously alongside some of the earliest Submariners reference 6204 that features some of the same characteristics and also with the unusual Sub-Aqua name.
Rolex registers the brand name Mono-Meter in June 1953 and the first examples are released immediately as the caseback indicates a production of III.53. Made in 2 separate versions, one with a honeycomb dial and the other such as this example featuring a regular dial but both have the split name Oyster Perpetual on the dial. These also have a very distinctive bezel only found on these early Monometers with a bezel featuring minute markers all around and the early pencil and lollipop hands.
From the known examples below, one can immediately notice how close the case numbers are indicating a very small production (some scholars believe less than one hundred) and probably one of the rarest known pre-Submariners ever made. Unknown to the market, this example was found recently in the UK and has remained untouched from its origin, still featuring the original bezel, hands and an immediate reaction to the Geiger counter. Considering how small the production of these models are, any new example discovered represent an important find and a more than rare opportunity to acquire one of the earliest dive watches produced by Rolex.
Known examples of Rolex 6202 Monometer
6202, serial 949477, honeycomb dial, Antiquorum, November 12, 2006, lot 366
6202, serial 949401, regular dial, Antiquorum, March 17, 2013, lot 493
6202, serial 949579, regular dial, current lot
6202, serial 949738, regular dial, Antiquorum, May 11, 2014, lot 270
6202, serial 949742, regular dial, Antiquorum May 9, 2021
6202, serial 949484, honeycomb dial, Phillips, November 12, 2016, lot 49ROLEX, SWITZERLAND, REF. 6202, MONOMETER, STAINLESS STEEL | Important Modern & Vintage Timepiece | Geneva, November 4-5, 2023
Important Modern & Vintage Timepiece
Geneva, Nov 04, 2023
ROLEX, SWITZERLAND, REF. 6202, MONOMETER, STAINLESS STEEL
PLACE BID
CHF 20,000 - 40,000 EUR 21,100 - 42,100 / USD 22,200 - 44,300 / HKD 174,000 - 348,000
An extremely rare, historically important, stainless steel, self winding diver's wristwatch
Very good
Slightly scratched
Very good
Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Very good
Slightly oxidized
HANDS Original
Brand Rolex, Switzerland
Model monometer
Reference 6202
Year 1953
Case No. 949579
Diameter 36
Caliber A260, 19 jewels
Signature Dial, Case and movement signed
Accessories spare original crystal
The Monometer is considered one of the rarest pre-Submariners based on a new reference the 6202 that would become the Turnograph.
These were launched almost simultanously alongside some of the earliest Submariners reference 6204 that features some of the same characteristics and also with the unusual Sub-Aqua name.
Rolex registers the brand name Mono-Meter in June 1953 and the first examples are released immediately as the caseback indicates a production of III.53. Made in 2 separate versions, one with a honeycomb dial and the other such as this example featuring a regular dial but both have the split name Oyster Perpetual on the dial. These also have a very distinctive bezel only found on these early Monometers with a bezel featuring minute markers all around and the early pencil and lollipop hands.
From the known examples below, one can immediately notice how close the case numbers are indicating a very small production (some scholars believe less than one hundred) and probably one of the rarest known pre-Submariners ever made. Unknown to the market, this example was found recently in the UK and has remained untouched from its origin, still featuring the original bezel, hands and an immediate reaction to the Geiger counter. Considering how small the production of these models are, any new example discovered represent an important find and a more than rare opportunity to acquire one of the earliest dive watches produced by Rolex.
Known examples of Rolex 6202 Monometer
6202, serial 949477, honeycomb dial, Antiquorum, November 12, 2006, lot 366
6202, serial 949401, regular dial, Antiquorum, March 17, 2013, lot 493
6202, serial 949579, regular dial, current lot
6202, serial 949738, regular dial, Antiquorum, May 11, 2014, lot 270
6202, serial 949742, regular dial, Antiquorum May 9, 2021
6202, serial 949484, honeycomb dial, Phillips, November 12, 2016, lot 49
