A Closer Look
Canadian Rolex Watches
There are many iconic names that are synonymous with the Rolex brand—such as Daytona, Datejust, and Submariner—but Rolex’s worldwide reach extends beyond these well-known models due to their experimental marketing and business practices, including custom issues that cater to regional tastes.
A prime variation from the brand emerged through their business in Canada, which began during World War II, a time of great expansion for the company. The Canadian market for Rolex gave way to several interesting and catchy monikers such as the Sky-Rocket, Air-Tiger and Observatory, and led to several collaborations with local watchmakers.
Watches, a stellar single-owner collection live for online bidding until 30 June, features Rolexes that were made for the Canadian market. Read on to learn more about this unique subset of an iconic brand.
Lot 50. SOLAR/TUDOR. A STAINLESS-STEEL MANUAL WIND ANTIMAGNETIC WRISTWATCH Aqua, Ref: 2784, c.1934. Estimate: $1,000 - 2,000.
Lot 50. SOLAR/TUDOR. A STAINLESS-STEEL MANUAL WIND ANTIMAGNETIC WRISTWATCH Aqua, Ref: 2784, c.1934. Estimate: $1,000 - 2,000.
How is a Canadian Rolex different from other Rolexes?
Canadian Rolex watches differ from other markets due to the country’s importation laws. Like the United States, Canada taxed precious metals. To bypass these taxes, Rolex created cases within Canada, making agreements with case manufacturers such as ID and Pionier to produce them. Additionally, in certain types of Oyster waterproof watches, a modified ebauche was used and sold under the Rolex name.
Many of these smaller Rolex watches were intended to be used in military applications. As a result, these watches generally have waterproof cases and variations on the dials to prominently feature 24-hour indications. Other references released in Canada were variations on existing or experimental new models, such as the Air-King Date and the Explorer-Date.
Rolex Golden Egg, Ref. 6334
One of the most compelling examples to come out of the Canadian market is lot 36, a Rolex Golden Egg reference 6334. The watch bears seven lines of text, including a red depth designation and curved ‘self-winding’ text, and the dial combines hallmark features of the Rolex and Tudor brands.
Lot 36. ROLEX. A GOLD PLATED AUTOMATIC WRISTWATCH Golden Egg, Ref: 6334, c.1939. Estimate: $1,000 - 2,000.
Lot 36. ROLEX. A GOLD PLATED AUTOMATIC WRISTWATCH Golden Egg, Ref: 6334, c.1939. Estimate: $1,000 - 2,000.
Rolex Eaton ¼ Century Club, Ref 6022
Lot 78 is another unique Rolex which came from a collaboration between the brand and a Canadian institution. Eaton, a prominent Canadian department store, not only had an agreement to sell Rolex watches under the brand name Solar, but also awarded custom Rolexes to their long-term employees. Among Rolex collectors, the ¼ Century Club watch, awarded to Eaton employees after 25 years of service, are some of the most notable collectibles from the Canadian market.
Lot 78. ROLEX. A 14K GOLD MANUAL WINDING WRISTWATCH Eaton ¼ Century Club, Ref: 6022, Circa 1952. Estimate: $1,500 - 2,500.
Lot 78. ROLEX. A 14K GOLD MANUAL WINDING WRISTWATCH Eaton ¼ Century Club, Ref: 6022, Circa 1952. Estimate: $1,500 - 2,500.
Solar/Tudor wristwatches
The Solar brand watches made by Rolex and Tudor carried the same calibers and sometimes imported, Swiss-made cases, and they remain recognizable as Rolexes, despite their unique branding.
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