202 Rolex Extremely Rare and Unusual, Chronograph in Pink Gold, Ribbed Curved Lugs, Two Subsidiary Dial, With Rolex Service, Reference 3852
Estimate: €25,000 – 50,000
Sold (Premium)€27,300
Model: Chronograph
Reference: 3852
Case Material: Pink Gold
Bracelet Material: Leather Strap
Year: 1938
Movement: Manual
Caliber: 22-14'''
Case N°: 58076
Dimensions: 35 mm
Signed: Dial, Case and Movement
Accessories: Copy of Receipt of Service
Literature: A Similar Example is Published in John Goldberger Book “100 Superlative Rolex Watches” at page 53
The example here offered is an extremely rare and very elusive chronograph made by Rolex in all its history. During the 1940’s and 1950’s, Rolex tried to widely explore the field of wrist chronographs, giving free rein to the imagination and daring a lot in terms of case and dial design. Among the rarest references produced in those years is certainly the 3852, like the example offered here, capable of presenting a decidedly unconventional style compared to what we are used to. Rolex’s reference 3852 is a timepiece that can easily be compared to chronographs made by Vacheron Constantin or Patek Philippe in terms of elegance and sophistication. With a 35 mm case, it features a ribbed band similar in appearance to that of an edge of a coin. That is a detail already seen in other models (like the reference 4062) while totally unusual and basically rarely seen are the curved lugs with the same reeded decoration. The lot here offered is one specimen of this rare reference, made in pink gold and extremely well preserved, with very deep engravings on the back and square pushers. Showing a nice patina, the present watch features a very desirable double-scale layout with tachymeter and telemeter scales giving it an incredibly cool appearance. A highly collectable timepiece, the present specimen Rolex ref. 3852 from circa 1954 is one of the very few and possibly the nicest examples of the reference to appear in the market in recent times, with a case dimension further enhanced with curved, reeded lugs, the timepiece is perfectly relevant in today’s trends. This is truly a fantastic opportunity for lovers of vintage chronograph timepieces to acquire a magnificent example from Rolex.