Rolex

The Olympic games are unanimously considered as the most important and prestigious sport competition in the world. Taking part to them is the ultimate dream of any athlete. It requests talent, years of hard work, discipline and abnegation. Yet, these sacrifices are little compared to the reward. The first modern Olympic games took place in Athens in 1896, two years after the creation of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) by Baron Pierre de Coubertin. They took their inspiration from the ancient Olympic Games held in Olympia in the 8th century BC.

The headquarters of the Olympic Committee are in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Naturally, when it comes to Switzerland, watches are not far.

Rolex has been supporting athletes, sport and human achievements since its early days, from Mercedes Gleitze swimming the English Channel with an Oyster on her wrist in 1927, the ascent of mount Everest in 1953, to contemporary horse riding and tennis champions, to name but a few.

In the 1980's and 1990's, the crowned Manufacture also wanted to mark the Olympic games by offering some special pieces to the IOC. These timepieces were Datejust, mens or ladies, adorned with the celebrated five Olympic rings, representing the five continents united by Olympism.

These exceptional watches were never available to the public, but only to the Comité International Olympique.

The present lot is one of these extraordinary watches. It was presented in 1996, exactly 100 years after the first modern edition of the Olympic Games, on the occasion of the edition that took place in Atlanta.

The watch has been preserved in outstanding condition, with sharp proportions and still bearing its green sticker on the back, and comes with all its original accessories including its punched Rolex guarantee confirming the IOC as the purchaser, the 1996 date and the 039 client code for Switzerland.

The appearance of this watch, especially in such condition, on the international market is a most exciting event for enthusiasts. There has not been a similar piece on the auction market for 8 years.

Sotheby's is thrilled to offer this highly collectible watch in Paris, where the next edition of the Olympic Games will take place in just two years.