ROLEX - President Paul Reynaud wristwatch Datejust Ref. 6105 No. 761898 Circa 1952 In 18k (750) yellow gold Case: round, screw-down crown and back, back engraved with "Paul Reynaud 21 septembre 1966", signed Dial: silvered with applied baton hour markers, luminescent dots and hands, date window, railway minute track, signed Movement: self-winding with rotor, calibre A.296, signed Bracelet / Clasp: gold folding clasp numbered "25031" with master stamp "EJ Diameter: 36 mm Gross weight: 67.5 g. Provenance : President Paul Reynaud (1878-1966) By descent A Rolex Datejust Wristwatch of President Paul Reynaud Commentary: This Datejust model is nicknamed "Ovettone" (Italian for "big egg") because of its bulging, voluminous case. The watch has a diameter of around 36 mm, which was considered oversized in the 1950s and sets it apart from the rest of the market. Its design marks a transitional stage, being larger than that of the earlier Bubblebacks models while foreshadowing the more balanced case of the Datejust. The watch is equipped with the A.296 automatic calibre, renowned for its robustness and thickness, which explains the prominent caseback. The model described has the 'Super Oyster' crown, used by Rolex for a short period (around 1950-1953) and now uncommon. This model is often presented as a link between the Bubblebacks of the 1940s and the first Datejust models. The Rolex Datejust, introduced in 1945 to mark the brand's 40th anniversary, remains an iconic model in the luxury watchmaking sector. The first water-resistant automatic wristwatch with an instantaneous date function, it also introduced the "Jubilé" bracelet and the "Cyclops" magnifying glass to improve legibility. This model is distinguished by its timeless design and its technical advances, which have contributed to its enduring success with many well-known figures. The Datejust embodies Rolex's philosophy of combining technical innovation with aesthetic quality. The Datejust remains a benchmark for collectors and a milestone in the brand's design evolution. It is also associated with several other major post-war political figures, such as Winston Churchill, Martin Luther King and Konrad Adenauer. Nicholas Foulkes, a London-based writer with a worldwide reputation for his books on watchmaking, has published his second book on all Datejust models in a series devoted to Rolex's iconic models. Its release in early October this year coincides with the discovery of Paul Reynaud's personal Rolex Datejust watch, adding another historic figure to the list of Rolex icon wearers.