Description

There are a handful of vintage Rolex references that transcend the brand’s reputation for robust tool watches, and the reference 8171, universally known as the “Padellone,” is one of the most extraordinary of all. Produced for barely three years between 1949 and 1952, this oversized triple calendar moonphase represents Rolex at its most ambitious: a large, dressy, mechanically complex watch that stands apart from everything else the brand has ever made. This steel example presents beautifully, complete with its period bracelet, a recently serviced movement, and a dial of exceptional originality.

The Padellone – One of Rolex’s Greatest Rarities

The reference 8171 was released in 1949 at a time when 35mm was considered a large men’s watch. At 38mm, the Padellone dwarfed its contemporaries, a fact that was not lost on Italian collectors, who coined its enduring nickname: Padellone, meaning “big frying pan.” The name stuck, and today it is the only way serious collectors refer to this watch.

Production was brief and limited. Estimates place total output at fewer than 1,500 examples across all metals, steel, yellow gold, and rose gold, of which perhaps 200 are well-documented today. The steel version is considered particularly desirable for its understated elegance, and white-dialed steel examples are among the most sought-after configurations within the reference. This is one of the rarest Rolex references that any serious vintage collector will ever have the opportunity to acquire.

The 8171 was produced alongside its smaller sibling, the reference 6062, which shared the same complication but came in a slightly smaller Oyster case with a screw-down crown. The 8171, by contrast, features a non-Oyster snap-back case, more dressed, more delicate, and today far rarer.

Calibre A295 – A True Rolex Complication

At the heart of the Padellone beats the Rolex calibre 10½, an in-house automatic movement of 18 jewels, beating at the characteristic pace of the era. This is not a modified ébauche; it is a Rolex-developed movement, which is precisely what makes the 8171 and 6062 so notable: they are among the very few Rolex references to house a genuinely in-house calendar complication. The movement has been professionally serviced, ensuring the watch keeps accurate time, and all calendar functions advance correctly.

The case features recessed pushers at 2 o’clock and 4 o’clock for advancing the month and day displays, respectively, and the date ring is corrected via the crown. The snap-back case back bears the Rolex coronet engraving, a detail that is frequently worn away on over-polished examples, making its presence here a strong indicator of the case’s originality and careful history.

The Dial

The silver-toned dial presents with the characteristic patina of a well-preserved original, developing a subtle warmth that only decades of careful keeping can produce. The outer date ring is printed in bright blue Arabic numerals, a hallmark detail of the 8171, and the paired apertures for day and month are symmetrically placed in the upper portion of the dial, flanking the Rolex crown logo and “Perpetual” inscription. At 6 o’clock, the moonphase sub-dial is housed within a deep blue disc, with a warm gold moon and silver stars catching the light beautifully. Arrow and pyramid-shaped hour markers and slender leaf hands complete a dial that is both technically rich and visually balanced.

Specifications

Brand: Rolex

Model: Padellone Triple Calendar Moonphase Automatic

Reference: 8171 Year: circa 1950s

Case material: Stainless steel

Case diameter: approx. 38 mm

Bezel: Polished steel bezel

Dial: Silver dial with blue date ring and moonphase sub-dial

Bracelet: Period steel bracelet

Movement: Automatic, Rolex calibre 10½, 18 jewels

Condition: Good vintage condition with light signs of wear consistent with age

Accessories: Watch only (no box or papers)

Warranty: 1 year warranty

Availability

This vintage day-date automatic watch is available through Vintage Times Amsterdam.

For further information or high-resolution images, please feel free to contact:

Vintage Times

Vintage Times Amsterdam is a small watch boutique who mainly deals online and with a select group of private collectors. We are constantly looking for rare vintage timepieces and try to present the best condition available. Please don’t hesitate to get in contact for more information about this watch or other timepieces from our collection. We ship worldwide and also welcome you for a visit at our office in Amsterdam.

Vintage Times

email: [email protected]

tel / app: +31 6 4 1111 044