Rolex 4537 a once-in-a-lifetime watch

In the vast landscape of chronograph production, stretching from the 1920’s to our current times, Rolex has a long list that came before the famous Daytona.
As we often point out, we always want to focus on rarity and quality and today we are taking a look at one model in particular: the Rolex Reference 4537. 

 Rolex Ref. 4537 "Monoblocco"

It is one of the earliest chronographs to dawn the three-registers, bearing an  oyster case, with rounded pushers and screw-back. This reference was the first commercially produced triple register to test the market and has a peculiar history.
As World War II concluded, Rolex started issuing their twin register chronographs ref. 4500 after the Monoblocco ref. 3525 and during the same year started the production of this triple register. As the 4500, the 4537 is flatter compared to all other oyster cases and they are the only models that dont have the reference number engraved between the lugs at 12 o’clock.

Rolex Ref.4500 and Rolex Ref.3525 

Similar to its predecessor, ref.4500, the design of the case maintains a quite flat two-part construction, and differs essentially in the new presence of the third counter on the dial used for the hour totalizer.
When this watch was released, it was not immediately appreciated as a technical advancement and was not considered particularly useful as this increased the price and often customers preferred the simpler and cheaper option of the twin counters. There is only another references dawning the three registers that precedes the 4537: the ref. 4048, the so-called Barilotto case with the same upgraded movement VZH13, supplied by Valjoux and refined by Homer.

Rolex Ref. 4048 - Photo Source @puccipaleo

Being the passionistas we are, the spotlight should be directed to the aesthetics of the watch. When you wear it and it lays flat on your wrist, the feeling of the oyster case design exudes elegance with its thinner profile. One can say it’s not a loud watch to wear, however there are some examples with a stronger character than others. Interestingly, to enable the screw down functionality of the watch, the crown is slightly extended, which we find quite matching to the rounded pushers as synchronizes on the same level. The 36mm diameter is extremely wearable both in steel as in gold.

 Rolex Ref. 4537

When we say short production time, we meant it! The information available on this rare version is so little, that we had to knock on the door of the "Rolex Oracle", our good friend Pucci Papaleo, a veteran collector and undisputed vintage Rolex scholar. With some research we find that apparently all cases were delivered by Spillmann in one single batch in 1946, which makes it extremely rare. The numbers are extremely small compared to other models. A dozen in yellow gold, a dozen in rose, and a dozen in 9 kt gold for the Commonwealth markets. In steel, only 144 cases were delivered in the same year. To put things in perspective, the subsequent model from the early 50’s, ref. 6034, was made in 1500 examples. Just to tick the rarity box! The purpose was for Rolex to test the market and with new developments to see what worked. Now its time to check on the quality box!

Crown details Rolex oyster 

A remarkable example of this reference surely gives off feelings of mysteriousness much like: “I want to know more about it”.
We would like to share with you an extremely rare configuration of the reference: an 18k yellow gold with an immaculate gilt black dial with tachymeter scale and inner telemeter scale. To begin, note the curved Rolex Oyster and Antimagnetic signature, typical of the early 3525 graphics. We feel it has a different vintage flair compared to all other Rolex chronos!

Rare example of Rolex Ref. 4537 in 18 kt yellow gold and black dial

Black dials from this era of are extremely rare to come by in such condition, due to their delicate and vulnerable nature compared to silvered ones, it’s difficult to survive the test of time and harsher conditions. This example, coming from a prominent Italian collector of the finest palate, is simply stunning.
The oxidation on the case, witness of a long permanence in a vault, is a testament of the pristine state of the watch. Housing the movement, 17-jewel VZ 72 (Valjoux / Hofer Cal.72) manual wind, column wheel chronograph, the same caliber that will subsequently be mounted in all Rolex triple register chronographs up to the Daytona in the 1980s.

Rare example of Rolex Ref. 4537 in 18 kt yellow gold and black dial

As Rolex began mass production, they used more commercial versions of this movement thus saving cost, and we will find these fitted in subsequent references. Alternatively, if your preference is steel, here is also a beautiful example with a clean silvered dial and blued steel syringe hands, matching blue graphics for the telemetre scale contrasting with the black graphics tachymeter scale. Indexes are filled with well-aged patinaed lume making it super legible. Suitable to represent the 4537 reference in style and definitely a must to a connoisseur’s collection.

 Rolex Ref. 4537 in stainless steel, available on our website

In this deep dive we discover one of Rolex’s vintage chronographs that deserves to be admired for what it inspired in the following decades. To all collectors who seek true details of unison, we suggest you to discover, or rather rediscover, the wonders of the triple register chronographs with one of the most refined calibers of yesterday’s Rolex catalogue.