Soleil Dial 6062 Rolex Triple Calendar Moonphase

The Day-Date exists in part because this was not a commercial success in period. However, today, Rolex collecting knows no greater heights. This is the 6062, one of just three forays Rolex made into complication. But this one is quite unusual. It’s called the Soleil dial, and it’s actually a last-ditch effort by Rolex to finally sell these complicated Oyster cases which had languished in sale windows for so long. It’s one of three sold over a decade after production had stopped, to three brothers out of Gübelin. It is believed these dials were made to update the languishing inventory and all three brothers' examples sport this look. Traditionally, non two-tone in any 6062 dial is service. According to Phillips, not so here. And that’s a big deal.

There are two substantial differences between the 6062 its older brother, the Padellone. First is the size, this is 36mm and very Day-Date-like. Second, it’s an Oyster case. This is the only time a complete calendar debuted in an Oyster case. It’s a Rolex that really wants to be a Patek Philippe at heart. And it’s about as rare as a Padellone. Most think somewhere under 1000 examples were made across all metals, with around 10-15% of those known to the market today. Traina says 2/3 are yellow gold, rest split between pink and steel, so I’ll go with that.

6062 are split by indices with Stelline and Pyramid indices topping collectability, followed by triangle and ‘Explorer’ configurations. This is none of those. It’s a soleil, or radially brushed. Three of these dials were sold like this in 1964 to a mother giving a gift to her three sons. One sold long ago. But two survive in near identical condition, both on these woven bracelets, both with soleil dials. This really doesn’t look like any other one you’ll find. Some are going to love that, some are going to be terrified of that, and some are going to challenge that. I’m just here to point out that it’s interesting and coming to auction soon. And any preserved 6062 is worthy of attention, particularly when it comes with a receipt from Bucherer noting the purchase of 3 Rolex Oysters in 1964 for a grand total of 3825 . . .I assume Deutsche Mark? Regardless of currency, they came out alright.

The case here isn't perfect, but not abused. Few if any 6062 apart from the Dark Star are perfect. The dial has a small mark below the 6 triangle which should be noted. I can't loupe it, I can't say if it's been cleaned. The bracelet is monumentally lovely. The tritium is interesting too (apparently not radium). It is coming to auction early next month.