Rolex - Glamorous Day-Date Geneva Friday, May 8, 2015 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: 1974
    Reference No: 1803
    Case No: 3'453'241
    Model Name: Day-Date
    Material: 18k pink gold
    Calibre: Automatic, 1556
    Bracelet/Strap: Rolex President, end links stamped 53
    Clasp/Buckle: Folding deployment clasp
    Dimensions: 36mm. Diameter
    Signed: Movement, dial, case and bracelet signed
    Literature: The present lot is illustrated in Day Date, The Presidential Rolex by Pucci Papaleo, Spin Edizioni

  • Catalogue Essay

    Another superb and important example the present Day-Date was manufactured in 1974. At the time of its conception the watch was originally made for the Middle Eastern market but today is highly coveted by all Rolex watch collectors.

    The spectacular dial, in wonderfully original condition, showcases an engraved ‘tapisserie’ pattern adorned with pink gold applied Arabic script numerals.

    Both apertures for the day and for the date are in Arabic and its condition remains excellent overall.

  • Artist Biography

    Rolex

    Swiss • 1905

    Founded in 1905 England by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis as Wilsdorf & Davis, it soon became known as the Rolex Watch Company in 1915, moving its headquarters to Geneva in 1919. Like no other company, the success of the wristwatch can be attributed to many of Rolex's innovations that made them one of the most respected and well-known of all luxury brands. These innovations include their famous "Oyster" case — the world's first water resistant and dustproof watch case, invented in 1926 — and their "Perpetual" — the first reliable self-winding movement for wristwatches launched in 1933. They would form the foundation for Rolex's Datejust and Day-Date, respectively introduced in 1945 and 1956, but also importantly for their sports watches, such as the Explorer, Submariner and GMT-Master launched in the mid-1950s.

    One of its most famous models is the Cosmograph Daytona. Launched in 1963, these chronographs are without any doubt amongst the most iconic and coveted of all collectible wristwatches. Other key collectible models include their most complicated vintage watches, including references 8171 and 6062 with triple calendar and moon phase, "Jean Claude Killy" triple date chronograph models and the Submariner, including early "big-crown" models and military-issued variants.

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Aladdin’s Rose

25

Ref. 1803
An extremely rare and important pink gold wristwatch with Arabic calendar, applied pink gold Arabic numerals, bracelet, centre seconds and unusual tapisserie dial

1974
36mm. Diameter
Movement, dial, case and bracelet signed

Estimate
CHF40,000 - 80,000 

Sold for CHF167,000

Contact Specialist
Livia Russo
+41 22 317 81 86

Glamorous Day-Date

Geneva Auction 9 May 2015 7pm