1952 Rolex Dato-Compax ref. 6036 Steel “Jean-Claude Killy”

Up for grabs is a Rolex Dato-Compax in steel

Reference 6036, also so-called “Jean Claude Killy”

847,XXX batch made in 1952

This watch is absolutely fresh-to-market. I personally flew to New Hampshire to meet Mr. Ross and buy his late father’s Rolex. The watch is a reference 6036 triple calendar chronograph circa 1952 with a beautiful and well preserved dial and blued steel hands. The original owner, Emmett Ross Jr., who retired as Senior Master Sergeant in the US Air Force after 23 years in service, bought this watch in the early 1950’s while stationed in Germany. In one of the slides, you can see a picture of him (on the right) shaking hands with Major General Albert Schinz during Ross’ retirement ceremony at the Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada in 1970. Also, you can see him wearing the watch on an aftermarket stretch bracelet in the photograph. Some time after his retirement, Emmett stopped wearing this watch and it was put away for almost 50 years. Mr. Ross passed away in January of 2023 and one of his sons, Thomas, inherited this watch. After doing his research, he figured out it was very rare and valuable, ultimately deciding to sell it. I am proud and excited to have met him today and be able to tell this story and help it live on.

The case is very well preserved with strong lugs, original pushers, and original winding crown. Since the watch was worn on an aftermarket bracelet, there is no bracelet rubbing at all on the serial or reference numbers. There is no corrosion or pitting.

The bezel and crystal remain original. I polished the crystal with Polywatch but kept it original. It shows plenty of crazing.

Underneath the crystal lies an extremely well preserved dial with sunken in markers. Vibrant colors and damage-free. No tool marks, no hand drags, no damaged print. This dial variation was probably the most difficult to make as the dial maker had to engrave the “sunken” markers, them make them silver. The silver still “pops”. Since the dial surface is grenée (grained) finished, these dials almost “absorb” moisture and often times shows lots of wear and discoloration.This example does show very minor staining around edges, its practically inevitable, but remains in top top condition.

The hands are original with blued steel sweep hand and subdial hands.

The caseback has been very well preserved with very sharp and damage-free lock teeth. The inside is correctly stamped 6034, has 1 single service mark, and also an import stamp “montres rolex S.A.”

The movement is original 72C manual wind in running condition. Since the watch has been put away for at least about 50 years, I am sure it can use a service, but this is something I will leave up to the next owner.

The watch comes exactly as found, without a bracelet or a strap. I can add either for you, but always better to present it exactly as is, without adding or leaving anything. This is a true fresh to market watch found and purchased directly from the family with incredible story and provenance.