Rolex - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: TWO Hong Kong Monday, May 30, 2016 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: 1943
    Reference No: 4125
    Case No: 279'203
    Model Name: King-of-Wings
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Mechanical, 15 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet, 180 mm. maximum length
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex folding deployant clasp stamped Rolex 2.55
    Dimensions: 35 mm. diameter
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed

  • Catalogue Essay

    'King-of-Wings' wristwatches, such as the present example, were made for the Canadian market. Other models for the Canadian market included the Solar Aqua and 1/4 Century Club watches that Eaton gave to staff members for 25 years of long service. This watch is fitted with a particularly rare black and beautiful black lacquer dial, which is preserved in excellent and very original condition. The case is very crisp with strong definition and very crisp case numbers to the case back. Overall, this is an extremely rare and appealing wristwatch.

  • 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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Ref. 4125
A very rare stainless steel wristwatch with sweep centre seconds, black lacquer 'King-of-Wings' dial and bracelet

1943
35 mm. diameter
Case, dial and movement signed

Estimate
HK$100,000 - 150,000 

Sold for HK$175,000

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: TWO

Hong Kong Auction 31 May 2016