A Closer Look at the Rolex Ref. 6062 Dark Star
There’s a big event that has come and recently gone, and it has to do with the Rolex Ref 6062 Dark Star wristwatch. The occurrence unfolded at the famous Christie’s New York auction, and the triple calendar watch was made available to the highest bidder for the second time. This was a highly anticipated event and in the event, you’re not intimately acquainted with this magnificent timepiece, we offer you a closer look as we offer a thorough inspection of its full merit.
A rare occasion
This is the time of year when the catalogs arrive with an array of new designs, enhancements of the older models and new and exciting variants of your favorites. There are classics and vintage pieces and some bring back the nostalgia of past good times. We’re faced with the delightful, yet the overwhelming task of evaluating and pondering the latest offerings and to a watch enthusiast, it can become a consuming desire. Amidst the new offerings, there are usually a few that catch the eye and hold our attention. They are the ones that we obsess over until we’ve inspected every unique detail in the workmanship, the complexity of the inner workings and the value that it imparts to us. Christie’s has offered one such watch at their December 6th auction. The Rolex Ref. 6062 Dark Star is the timepiece that has our full attention.
The case
The Ref. 6062 Rolex Dark Star is dated 1952 and is a fine example of a vintage timepiece in pristine condition. In fact, it’s better than pristine because of the exquisite and unique patina that the passage of time has granted the watch. The case is made of 18-karat yellow gold with the numbering 916’321. Over the decade that this model was produced, just a few hundred were offered in the limited edition, making it yet more valuable to expert collectors. Made by Genex, in Geneva at the case department of Gay Freres, you’ll find the number 12 on the inside of a key which indicates the Genex case. A smart coding system. The case back shows the yellow gold in its natural color with case lines showing no wear that still exhibits the pristine satin finish of its origin.
The crown
The 6062 was made with two variations of the crown which included the Twin-Lock and the Super-Oyster. This particular example features a hybrid that landed somewhere between Super and Oyster and the addition was made after the patenting of the crown had been accomplished.
The dial
The original dials were offered in tow choices of a two-tone light dial and a black dial with a glossy aesthetic. This example bears the stars for which it is referred to by the nickname dark star applied to the type 453 style with lume applied to the outside of the stars distinguishing it from later versions which featured the Mark 1 Dial type 755 with lume applied directly to the stars and hour markers. This example exhibits gold luminous stars which make it all the rarer as they contrast remarkably within the matte silvered dial.
The moon phase
The disc of the moon phase is embellished with the features of a face, complete with eyes, nose, and mouth. It is the production of Stern Freres with the heralded blue enamel champleve technique we’ve seen often in examples offered by Patek Philippe calendars.
The movement
The movement is a caliber 655 which was designed and engineered precisely for this watch with the Rolex Super-balanced patented design. It is an automatic with the additional function for advancing the calendar novelty through be band’s setting pin holes.
The Dark Star
The nickname for this watch is The Dark Star and it is among the most highly prized and most expensive vintage watches auctioned in recent history. Its rareness is a contributing factor to the value between $1 and $2 million that has been placed on it. The auction was a good way to end the year. Such an example is rare in a condition that is the nearest to an original finish with pristine perfection in such an aged example.
