Story Highlight
– Rolex Oyster Perpetual ref. 6090 auctioning at Christie’s Geneva.
– Formerly owned by Holocaust survivor Kurt Kahn.
– Estimated value between CHF 15,000 and CHF 35,000.
– Kahn built Kahn’s Foods brand after WWII challenges.
– Watch features unique dial and Kahn’s initials engraved.
Full Story
A remarkable Rolex Oyster Perpetual ref. 6090, set to be auctioned at Christie’s Geneva, carries an extraordinary history tied to its former owner, Kurt Kahn, a Holocaust survivor. This unique provenance adds significant value to the timepiece, which is estimated to sell for between CHF 15,000 and CHF 35,000.
Kahn was born in Germany in 1910 and faced persecution during the Nazi regime. Following the events of Kristallnacht in 1938, he was detained in Dachau before being exiled to Australia, where he arrived with his parents nearly destitute.
Demonstrating remarkable resilience, Kahn built a prosperous life in his new homeland. He began in the hospitality sector and later discovered a niche supplying sauerkraut and hot dogs to American troops during World War II, which laid the groundwork for Kahn’s Foods, later known as Harvest Foods, a prominent Australian food brand recognized for its preserved goods during wartime.
By 1953, Kahn had achieved a level of success that allowed him to embark on a world tour. During this journey, which included visits to Israel, Geneva, Lucerne, and London coinciding with the Coronation celebrations, he purchased the Rolex ref. 6090 from Bucherer, a prestigious watch retailer in Switzerland.
The watch played a significant role in Kahn’s life, famously seen on his wrist while sailing on the RMS Queen Elizabeth, captured in archival footage as the ship sailed past the iconic Statue of Liberty.
The ref. 6090 has become a coveted collector’s item, notable for its exquisite craftsmanship. Its 18K yellow gold case features the distinctive bombé lugs, characterised by a softly rounded design, with the term “bombé” derived from the French word for “domed.”
Adding to its uniqueness, the watch is adorned with a striking two-tone dial, combining champagne and galvanic black, crafted by Stern Frères—one of Rolex’s most esteemed dial suppliers of the 1950s. This dial is marked with an individual number code and the signature star symbol, which denotes its provenance.
Specifically, the back of the dial bears the engraving 103★2604, where “103” represents Rolex, the star signifies Stern Frères, and “2604” indicates the order number. Additionally, the watch showcases a Super Oyster winding crown, a feature that was only available for a limited period in the early 1950s, enhancing its rarity.
The caseback of the timepiece is engraved with Kahn’s initials. He wore it throughout his life, and it has remained within his family for over seven decades until now.
The auction will commence on 11 May 2026, at Christie’s Geneva. Further details can be found by viewing the listing online.
