Rolex - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: ONE Hong Kong Monday, November 30, 2015 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: 1977
    Reference No: 1601
    Movement No: D913942
    Case No: 5'216'348
    Model Name: DateJust
    Material: 18k yellow gold and red agate
    Calibre: Automatic, 1570, 26 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Navy blue leather
    Clasp/Buckle: 18k yellow gold Rolex buckle signed Rolex
    Dimensions: 36 mm. diameter
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed

  • Catalogue Essay

    Rolex introduced the DateJust in 1945 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the company. At the time, it was their most expensive watch. This reference 1601 DateJust is an extremely rare variant because it is fitted with a red agate hardstone dial with gold graphics and gold frame around the date aperture.

    Rolex incorporated a variety of hardstones in their dials to add colour and beauty to their portfolio. Working with hard stone is a very delicate and time consuming craft, making these examples exceedingly rare.

    The present watch is in exceptionally good condition with sharp case, crisp numbers, visible hallmarks and remnants of the original factory sticker.

  • 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.

    View More Works

Σ146

Ref. 1601
A fine and very rare yellow gold wristwatch with sweep centre seconds, date and red agate hardstone dial

1977
36 mm. diameter
Case, dial and movement signed

Estimate
HK$70,000 - 90,000 

Sold for HK$112,500

Contact Specialist

Thomas Perazzi
Head of Watches, Asia
+852 2318 2001
thomasperazzi@phillips.com

Ziyong Ho
Specialist
+852 9386 2032
ziyongho@phillips.com

Jill Chen
Specialist
+852 2318 2033
jillchen@phillips.com

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: ONE

Hong Kong Auction 1 December 2015 11am