Rolex

I have dreamt of owning such a watch for years but given there are only 30 or so pink gold models circulating in the market right now (between 1949 and 1952, Rolex produced 1,500 such models. There were 350 pieces in pink gold and the rest in yellow gold and stainless steel) so hunting one down is not that easy.

By sheer luck, I got hold of this piece via private sales through a major auction house and to my pleasant surprise, the watch is in near-mint condition. Having agreed on the price, I quickly put on a new alligator strap and snap it on my wrist...and I don't see myself taking it off for quite some time.

A few words about this model...

The 8171 has long been considered as an epitome of pure aesthetics and is distinguished for the very large diameter of 38 mm (large at that time), combining clean case lines and a sophisticated silver sunburst dial. officially referred to as "cadran soleil argent". It also has an uniform, pale champagne-colored patina with evenly discolored luminous material to the dots and hands, all in accordance with age. The sharp and angular apertures for the month and weekday indications hint that the dial has rarely been restored.

The watch is run on movement Cal. A.295 CPL 10 1/2" automatic level movement. It is characterized by 17 jewels, applied gold baton and dot numerals, outer blue date ring with central gilt date hand, two windows for day and month, engine-turned subsidiary dial for moon phases and constant seconds, calendar correctors in the band, snap on back, and with case, dial and movement signed.

The watch was produced in 1950 and is therefore a year older than I am

Without further ado, here are some hastily taken smart phone pictures.

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