Rolex can claim many ‘firsts’ in terms of historical milestones as I have illustrated in my post here.
One of their achievements is also being the first watch brand to create a ‘day date‘ with the full day (written out entirely) and date indicator. When Rolex would launch the day date with Ref 6511 in April 1956*, it created an icon that would serve as the benchmark watch to own by Presidents, Kings, and wealthy businessmen.
The day- date became the watch to reward yourself with. Even Hans Wilsdorf, the founder of Rolex chose the Day- Date when gifting important watches to friends like that of Theodore Beyer (indeed it was a ref 6611).
So, when an important and rare model day-date like the Ref 6611 comes up for auction – I feel obliged to write about it.
*(Credit: Pucci Papaleo Day Date Editore page 22). (All picture credits: Boule auctions).
The 6611 was the second model Day date ever to leave the house of Rolex and replaced the 6511 after just one year.
From the outside the new model 6611 was just like the original day date, with most improvements taking place within the movement calibre 1055. Indeed the 6611 is an important model in Rolex history: It is the very first day-date and one of the very first Rolex watches to receive the Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified designation due to an improved Microstella balance wheel (Credit Pucci Papeleo Day Date p32).
Most Rolex day dates in the world have the word Superlative Chronometer Official Certified written in English – regardless of the calendar that might be in another language (Rolex made calendars in 26 languages). There is only one exception to this rule: A few watches were written in German – ‘Amtlich Geprüft’ (which essentially means ‘Officially Certified’ in German).
Which brings me to the purpose of this post: One these super rare watches with Officially Certified in German, a 1960 Rolex ref 6611 is up for auction at Boule in Monaco on January 15th (tomorrow).
Experts don’t seem to know the reason exactly why some watches appear in to have the Officially Certified in German.
Some speculate is was to better target the important German market at the time with targeted local language marketing. Others speculate that it could have to do with Hans Wilsdorf being a German national (he also held British citizenship). It is important to note that not all 6611 with German calendars had the German Amtlich Geprüft (for example the Hans Wilsdorf example gifted to Beyer had the SCOC written in English).
A look at the so called butterfly movement (named for the butterfly type design on the rotor) of the 6611 which was upgraded but remained the same calibre 1055. Other famous Rolex models to carry the butterfly movement are the 6536-1 Submariner with the 1030 movement.
What you will also notice is the gold stamp that is positioned not on the lug but further towards the inner part of the case – something that is common for early day-dates.
Below the caseback which states the ref 6611 as well as gold stamp.
What makes the watch interesting also are the correct type hands that are often found on early 6611 but lost along the way.
Boule has an estimate of €8-12’000 which in my opinion is fair given the worn condition of the watch (marks can be seen on the dial as well as on the outer rim of the dial). Phillips sold a similar watch (also Amtlich Geprüft) which they named The Bundeskanzler at their Day Date auction back in 2015 for CHF 45’000 – the watch seems in better condition at least as far as the dial is concerned and it came with the gold bracelet (something the Boule watch does not come with).
However the Boule watch has more character. I also like the hands much more on this watch. This rare Rolex will appeal to a connoisseur of Rolex history and for all the day-date collectors out there who know their stuff.
A buy at the low end of the estimate could be a worthy attempt in my view. Full details see here.
