Probably one of the rarest and most expensive vintage Rolex watches on the market today, the anti-magnetic Rolex Datocompax Oyster Chronograph has always gone by the adopted name of the “Jean-Claude Killy� Rolex. Never as popular as the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona identified with Paul Newman or the Rolex Explorer II connected to Steve McQueen, the “Jean-Claude Killy� Rolex was only ever produced infrequently from the late 1950s to the late 1960s. Never reaching mass popularity during its production, this Rolex watch has become incredibly rare and valuable, selling at recent auctions for over $80,000.

French skier Jean Claude Killy is best known for being a three time gold winning Olympic skier who went on to appear in Rolex magazine ads and then to become a member of the Rolex board in Geneva. He won all three alpine events in the 1968 Olympic Winter games where the young Frenchman was the “It” boy. Imagine the celebrity and hype of Michael Phelps but with a heaping dose of style, a French accent, and playboy looks. That was Jean-Claude Killy in 1968. US Figure Skater and Olympic gold medalist Peggy Fleming is quoted as saying “Jean-Claude is a very romantic guy who was a great skier. Plus he is French, which made it even more perfect.  Every girl fantasized about Jean-Claude.” Later, Jean-Claude Killy starred as a jewel thief on skis in the movie Snow Job and worked as a stunt skier in the James Bond film, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.

Although this rare and valuable watch was dubbed “The Jean Claude Killy,â€� nobody has ever seen a photo of him wearing this Rolex model. This model is so special due to the antimagnetic quality, making it the most complicated Rolex ever made & ideally suited to function at the poles. In addition, a combination of stunning pale blue lettering and steel give the watch a unique appearance. A recent auction of such a model described it as, “an EXTREMELY UNIQUE Stainless Steel Rolex Datocompax Oyster Chronograph Ref. 6236, also known as “Jean-Claude Killy,” with a beautiful original white dial, and pump pushers. This watch also comes with a high-quality brown alligator leather strap and Authentic Rolex buckles.â€� The estimated minimum price for the Rolex was astoundingly high given the present economy. However, when a rare and valuable Rolex comes on the market, true watch lovers know that the price is worth if for the opportunity to own such an inspiring part of horologic history.

Tags: jean-claude killy, rolex datocompax oyster chronograph

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