When I like a watch, I write about it. Very simple. It should therefore be no surprise that I love the 6062 Rolex.

I have written numerous times about it. First I went into the two-tone nature of the dial on this reference. I then wrote about the most famous 6062 , the Bao Dai, in detail before it was auctioned. I then wrote about the Bao Dai when it was being sold. I also wrote about 6062 and black dials and their different variations. But maybe the most important post for collectors was when I wrote about how to spot a fake or service dial on the 6062.

I now have another useful post for collectors of this reference: Serial Number observations on the 6062 and owners insight what they say about this watch:

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The 6062 Rolex is a milestone watch in Rolex history. Many collectors consider it the ultimate trophy watch to own by Rolex. This has several reasons.

• First the 6062 oyster is an important model in Rolex history – it is one of only two complicated triple calendar models with moon phase Rolex ever made (the other being the 8171).
• Secondly the 6062 is housed in an oyster case and with a 35mm diameter- making it compact and perfect in size. -Unlike the 8171, the 6062 can be also considered a sports watch at the end of the day. The oyster case allows for water resistance given the screw back case back. This combined with the elegant dial of a triple calendar is what attracts many collectors.
• Third – there are some extremely attractive variations that include the black dials (written about here) but also the famous star dial or stelline that makes the watch simply visually stunning.
• Fourth all 6062 except the black dials, are born with two tone dials – allowing the watch to age in a visually appealing way.
• Fifth and last – the model was made only during a short time period and thus the models in all variations are rare.

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In terms of production numbers, common knowledge up until now was that 350 pieces were made in total. 

We have come across some documents that could potentially put this number in doubt. After some careful quantitative analysis counting most publicly sold 6062 one can identify five serial number ranges (690***, 788***, 911***, 916***, 942***). Our analysis seems to indicate a range of 350-450 pieces were made of the 6062. This is our best guess and in no way should be considered definite. 

As always with Rolex nothing is set in stone and collectors and connoisseurs must do their own math to figure our production numbers and rarity of dials, etc.

Even though the 6062 is a well-known reference for collectors – there are some misconceptions out there that we want to clarify. In that respect, it is helpful for future collectors considering the 6062 to consider our observations concerning the 6062.

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Here is are some observations concerning the 6062 Oyster Rolex and serial numbers:

• The star dials were among the first batch made in a series starting with 690 xxx so 1950/1951 – (there were also selectively seen in other batches).
• The spread in serial numbers, for the 6062, we could identify is 690 xxx to 942 6xx*
• Pink gold watches can be found predominantly in very small batches starting with serial number 788 5-xx– out of which only a dozen have been offered at public auctions as of today.
• Black dial 6062 seem to start at around 916 2xx and can be most often found in 942 5xx batch.
• Black dials with diamonds seem to be found across many batches and from serial nr 788 xxx to 942 xxx.
• The very final production batch are the rare steel cased watches starting 942 59x.
• In terms of cases – the steel versions have different case makers (Spillman) to the Gold cases (Genex).

*(This range is not definite and only includes watches we could identify in a short period of time, it should be used as a rough guide only).

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Looking at the different dials we notice the following observations:

• The 6062 was born a two tone watch – referring to the white dials only. This includes steel watches and gold.
• Despite popular belief that star dials are rare – they are in fact not so rare (they are more common than pyramid or spade dials).
• The earlier batches of Star dials seem to have the lume outside of the stars (like in the Rolex brochure below).
• When the lume is outside of the stars, the OCC (officially certified chronometer) is most likely written below the date – like in the brochure below.
• There is no common pattern across dial types: meaning even pyramid dials in white dials made in a similar batch can have different fonts on the calendar ring (see picture here).
• Black dials also have different fonts depending on the dial type (pyramid, star, spade, diamond etc). See picture here.*
• The pink gold 6062 seems to belong to the batch of watches where the lume plots are outside the stars and the OCC reference is written below the date. 
• The batch that comes after pink gold 6062 seem to the have the lume sitting right on the stars (like this watch here). When we see the lume plots on the stars the OCC is most often written in the space below the moon phase.
• Replacement or service dials can be recognized  by the T Swiss T signature below the dial and by the enlarged seconds markings in the moon phase area – see picture here. ** The outer calendar ring also tends to be bolder in font.

Below an Original Rolex leaflet that shows a 6062 with the lume plots next to the stars, so likely an early batch made. Notice how Rolex terms the watch Cosmograph – something it also did with the original Rolex brochure – see attachment.

What do owners and dealers say about the 6062:

• US collector and owner (Jason Singer) says: I love the 6062 for the following reasons: 1) There is a perfect balance to each of the several dial configurations which means you can end up owning several 6062 that each give you a unique pleasure 2) Very nice hybrid between the 6062 being an evening watch but also a functional timepiece 3)It is rare compared to most other Rolex models 4) case is firm and robust but yet the 6062 is still a very wearable watch 5) Once discontinued, the 6062 and 8171 were never followed by another day date moon phase by the Rolex manufacture. 6) Perpetual function offers practical daily wear
• The American collector Peter Goodwin says: Rolex’s rich history is marked by sports watches mainly like the Killy, Daytona and Submariner. The 6062 speaks to me because it offers a break from the sportiness of these watches and offers a cool complication that in my view is worthy of its contemporaries like the Patek Philippe 1518 and 2499.
• Eric Ku the noted Rolex dealer explains: This watch is very special to me, as it represents the only time that a complicated automatic movement was fitted into Rolex’s most heralded invention, the screwback oyster case (made by Genex for the gold models).
• Wulf Schütz of Rare & Fine notes: The Ref. 6062 is clearly The watch to own for any serious Rolex and watch collector. It combines an automatic movement with a triple date and moon phase complication in a waterproof oyster case – what more do you want?! The huge variety of case material and dials will meet almost any taste. It’s an elegant but also sporty looking watch, which makes it a perfect daily wearer for the gentlemen collector today.
• Davide Parmegiani – the super dealer and long time collector notes: The 6062 in my opinion is the grail of all Rolex watches, it is the essence of the majesty of Rolex manufacturing of the post war period. When the economic boom was taking place across the world Rolex came out with this fantastic piece, the 6062 with all different dial variations. It is and will always remain the most important and beautiful Rolex model ever produced.

*(Credit: Wulf Schütz, Rare & Fine). ** (Credit: Dr. Crotts Auctioneers).

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Closing remarks

The Rolex 6062 in all variations is a true milestone watch.

In my opinion it sits right at the very top of the Rolex collectability pyramid. It is important. Rare. Beautiful. Complicated. Sporty too (this is an oyster model). 

What I personally find most fascinating with any 6062 – is the following paradox. Rolex is defined by many (including myself) as a tool watch, a sports watch. When I think of Rolex I do think of Submariner. GMT Master. Explorer. I for sure don’t think of a triple calendar watch. But yet the 6062 is among the most collectible Rolex models of all. Why is that?

I actually think it has little to do with Rolex making very little triple calendar watches (of course rarity helps and plays a role). I think it has more to do with the perfect design that this watch really is. It is clean. Easy to read. And just has this magical combination of elegance but yet sportiness. In a way it is what Rolex is all about. But in certain other ways it represents something so different from what we are used to seeing out of Rolex.

It is this paradox that captivates me and makes the 6062 in general one of the all-time great watches.

NB: We are extremely grateful to Wulf Schütz of Rare & Fine who helped with much research regarding this especially in regards to quantitative analysis (so batches and dial types etc).

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Here are some pictures of various 6062 in all their beauty. We start off with this rare pyramid dial 6062 owned by the author of this report.

A beautiful star dial or stelline owned by a US based collector.

The stunning star dial or stelline – this example achieved a new world record for a normal gold 6062 at Phillips at CHF 650k. (Credit: Wulf Schütz).

My theory and correlation is ‘when lume is on the stars – most often the OCC is found in the moon phase window’. It applies here once again.

Below the star dial that sold at Phillips in Nov 2016 and achieved a new record for a normal gold star dial reference. Now on the owners wrist.

 

What is most interesting is the pink gold 6062: Most of them (if not all of them) are found with lume outside the stars as it is an early batch. This means of course the OCC is below the date window as seen below.

The steel version is extremely rare – an estimate of less than 100 pieces have been produced.

Out of the 100 pieces, less than 50 pieces have been identified of which only a hand full of watches come in superior collectable conditions with the steel-on-steel 3 and 9 dial. Here maybe one of the best preserved version in the world – owned by an American collector (J Singer).

The steel versions have different case makers (Spillman) to the Gold cases (Genex).

Also notice the dial is different with ‘Swiss made’ signed on the bottom vs only ‘Swiss’ for the gold versions.

(Credit: Jason Singer).

Below we show how the 6062, which is born with a two-tone, dial can age. This version below is a pyramid dial.

Next we show another two tone watch this time in steel. An example seen in 2015 at Villa d’Este by Italian dealer Marlon di Simone.

Notice the ‘Swiss Made’ signature rather than only ‘Swiss’ which we see on normal gold watches.

Black dials can have different fonts and style regarding the outer calendar ring. Look at this spade dial below and its curved 17.

(Credit: Goldberger)

Compare the black dial above with the star dial below and look at the 17 (now not curved) and also notice the difference in the number 4 (longer top of the number 4 below).

(Credit: Phillips watches).

And just because it is the king of all 6062 watches and probably the king of all Rolex watches – the elusive Bao Dai watch that fetched a world record for  a Rolex (slightly more than $5m all in).

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For our post on how to spot a replacement dial on a 6062 – see our in -depth report here.