34 Rolex Very Rare and Limited Edition, Datejust, Automatic Wristwatch in Steel and Gold, Made for the Olympic Committee, With Warranty and Green Sticker, Reference 16 233
Estimate: €5,000 – 10,000
Sold (Premium)€22,100
Model: Datejust
Reference: 16233
Case Material: Stainless Steel and Yellow Gold
Bracelet Material: Stainless Steel and Yellow Gold
Year: 1994
Movement: Automatic
Caliber: 3135
Case N°: S976159
Dimensions: 36 mm
Signed: Dial, Case and Movement
Accessories: Warranty, Leather Wallet and Tag
During all its history, Rolex has always been supporting athletes, sport and human achievements, since day one: nowadays sponsoring all the major sports tournaments and, back in the days, with Mercedes Gleitze trying to swim the English Channel with an Oyster on her wrist in 1927, passing through the ascent of mount Everest in 1953. It logically follows that the name of Rolex is now inextricably linked to that of sports. In the 1980’s and 1990’s, the crowned manufacture also wanted to mark the Olympic games by offering some special pieces to the IOC, the International Olympic Committee, founded in 1894. Taking inspiration from the ancient Olympic Games held in Olympia in the 8th century BC, in 1896 Baron Pierre de Coubertin gave life to the first modern Olympic games which took place in Athens. These timepieces were Datejust, men or ladies, adorned with the celebrated five Olympic rings, representing the five continents united by Olympism. The present lot is one of these extraordinary watches. It was presented in 1996, exactly 100 years after the first modern edition of the Olympic Games, on the occasion of the edition that took place in Atlanta. The watch has been preserved in outstanding condition, with sharp proportions and still bearing its green sticker on the back, and comes with all its original accessories including its punched Rolex guarantee confirming the IOC as the purchaser, the 1995 date and the 039 client code for Switzerland. The Olympic games are unanimously considered as the most important and prestigious sports competition in the world. Taking part to them is the ultimate dream of any athlete and this exceptional watch is as well the uptime goal for a collector considering the scarcity of specimens made and the fact that these watches were never available to the public, but only to the Comité International Olympique.