Rolex - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: SIX Hong Kong Monday, May 28, 2018 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 2000
    Reference No: 116520, case back stamped "2100" to the inside
    Case No: P607470
    Model Name: Cosmograph Daytona
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 4130, 44 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet stamped "DE 78490" to the endlinks, maximum length 190mm
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex deployant clasp stamped "DE10 78490"
    Dimensions: 40mm diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and clasp singed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex undated punched Garantie stamped by Hong Kong retailer Oriental Watch Co. Ltd., green leather wallet, presentation box and outer packaging

  • Catalogue Essay

    In 2000, Rolex launched the new Daytona models, featuring a fully in-house calibre and with minor aesthetic modification to the dial. Great was the excitement in the collectors community when, a few years later, it was in fact noticed that even these new models can present topicalization. The phenomenon would appear to occur only on some examples made between 2000 and 2002 (P, K and possibly Y serial numbers) with white dial. With time the stark white dials was noticed to become an off-white, cream tonality, perfectly exemplified by the present piece. Because such a situation is present only for the first two years of the production of the model, it is a fair assumption that either Rolex itself or the raw material supplier realized the defect and rectified the situation.

    Considering the appeal and collectability that tropical dials - both from vintage times and from the nineties as well - have among Rolex collector, it is a very educated guess that Cream Dial 116520 will become one of the most sought-after variations of the modern Rolex production, and certainly destined to be more and more actively hunted down.

    Given the overall condition of the present piece, the presence of its original punched Guarantee, and its freshness to the market, this without a doubt one of the most attractive Cream 116520 to appear on the market; an unmissable opportunity for the most discerning Rolex collectors.

  • 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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FROM AN IMPORTANT ASIAN COLLECTOR

1021

Ref. 116520, case back stamped "2100" to the inside
A fine and extremely rare stainless steel automatic chronograph wristwatch with cream dial, bracelet, Garantie and box

Circa 2000
40mm diameter
Case, dial, movement and clasp singed

Estimate
HK$160,000 - 300,000 
€17,600-33,000
$20,500-38,500

Sold for HK$300,000

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: SIX

Hong Kong Auction 29 May 2018