Some watches feel like sculptures you strap to your wrist. This 1947 Rolex “Skater” Ref. 4731 is exactly that — a rare expression of form, geometry, and art wrapped in 18K gold. What makes it so special, and what immediately caught our attention, is how completely different it is from anything we have seen from Rolex before. 
When you look at it, it’s impossible not to be drawn to the tension of its lines, angles, and unexpected shapes.
A Case Like Nothing Else
This watch’s defining characteristic is its case. Crafted in 18K yellow gold — but far from traditional — it was produced by Sogno S.A. (Geneva), the same case maker behind Patek Philippe’s own “Skater” ref. 2425.
The mountings are tilted laterally, so the strap seems to float slightly off the case before extending into long, sharply downturned lugs — a design reminiscent of ice skates, which inspired the nickname. 
From certain angles, the watch appears to lean forward, as if in motion. The proportions, about 31.5 × 36.5 mm, give it presence without overpowering the wrist.
The case remains beautifully sharp, with clear engravings and crisp hallmarks still visible on the back.
What’s more, this particular example is believed to be the only publicly known Ref. 4731 out of perhaps ten pieces ever produced. That’s exactly what gives this watch its mythical aura.
Dial & Details Are Flawless
The dial shows special features as well: An argenté (silvered) background provides restrained contrast to the 18kt gold indices and feuille hands. 
There’s a small seconds subdial at 6 o’clock, balanced by a discreet outer minute track rendered in black. 
Remarkably, after nearly eight decades, the dial remains in flawless condition — with no visible degradation, cracks, or fading. It perfectly balances the watch’s overall appearance and echoes the subtle gold tones of the case.
Why We Love It
The Skater’s silhouette evokes the Art Deco aesthetic that defined the late 1930s and 1940s. Its stepped planes and softened corners recall the geometry of Rockefeller Center or Gio Ponti’s early furniture designs— structures built from clarity, proportion, and rhythm rather than ornament.
It is rare in more ways than one. The shape is unlike any standard Rolex; the realization is executed at a fine level; and, as far as public record goes, this may be the only example known of only 10 ever produced, making it rarer than the “Skater” from Patek Philippe.
It hints at an era when Rolex allowed fresh ideas to find expression, even if only rarely. It’s a piece that rewards contemplation — its angles, shadows, and lines reveal more the longer you hold it, wear it, and turn it in your hands, wondering how a masterpiece like this could have survived in such condition for nearly 78 years.
It’s exactly the kind of extraordinary watch we love to hunt and present — a conversational piece that lets its future owner open discussions on horological history, art, and architecture, using only this special, rare, and beautiful Rolex 4731.
