Every Rolex has its every purpose for purchase; each tool its each explanation. Submariners for diving, Daytonas driving, an Explorer for, well, exploring. With most Rolexes, vintage and modern, form gives way for function, where design doth deign beneath utility rein. But this watch, a 1960s 4767 18k Gold ‘Jean-Claude Killy’ Dato-Compax, was Rolex’s first overly-designed, overtly-complicated timepiece, and, simultaneously, its last.

At twelve, beneath the coronet, are windows for both the day and month. Dauphine hands, raised square / rectangle hour markers, blue date surround, and triplex engine-turned chronograph sub-dial furnishings adorn the dial. While each of these features is its own feat, they all and each function within a petite 36mm 18k oyster caseback.

This rather small watch is rather complicated.

And, while named for former brand ambassador of Rolex, current Board of Director’s member, and three time 1968 Grenoble Winter-Games Olympic skiing gold medalist Jean-Claude Killy, he was never actually photographed wearing one.

The ‘Pre-Daytona’ four-digit chronograph references of the 50s and 60s remain outliers within the Rolex family. And, being outliers, an important part and participant, an enviable contribution, to the brand’s history and heritage.

The 4767 exhibits a 18k yellow gold case is unpolished, exhibited on a leather strap.

Case: Unpolished 18k Yellow Gold

Dial: Gold coronet, dauphine style hands, raised indices, and blue date surround.

Strap: Black leather, brown stitching, and sealed edges with a Rolex, period correct, buckle.

---

---