Rolex - Phillips & Blackbird: SPORTS Hong Kong Sunday, May 26, 2019 | Phillips

Create your first list.

Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.

  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1979
    Reference No: 17000, inner caseback stamped 17000B
    Movement No: 0’012’986
    Case No: 6’253’401
    Model Name: OysterQuartz Datejust
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Quartz, cal. 5035, 11 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex bracelet stamped 17000, max length 195 mm
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 35 mm diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, bracelet and movement signed

  • Catalogue Essay

    Towards the end of the 1970s, the Swiss watch industry was great affected by the Quartz crisis, with Japanese watchmakers supplied the world market with a large quantity of quartz watches. To combat this situation, Rolex decided to manufacture a new series of watches fitted with quartz movement, and the Oysterquartz Datejust was conceived.

    The Rolex Oysterquartz Datejust ref. 17000, first appeared in 1977, was introduced during the time when the brand sought to meet clients’ demands for quartz watch movements, and can be considered as the grandfather of all subsequent quartz watches created by the brand, such as the Oysterquartz Day-Date.

    In very nice overall condition, the case of the present watch has full proportions and factory finish to the lugs and bracelet, with the dial retaining rounded intact luminous plots. Through the years, Rolex watches with quartz movement have become increasingly sought after, as watch collectors have become aware of the beauty and collectability of these timepieces, with the era of the Rolex quartz watch ending in 2001.

  • 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

833

Ref. 17000, inner caseback stamped 17000B
A rare and attractive stainless steel quartz wristwatch with center seconds, date and bracelet

Circa 1979
35 mm diameter
Case, dial, bracelet and movement signed

Estimate
HK$20,000 - 40,000 
€2,300-4,600
$2,500-5,000

Sold for HK$41,250

Contact Specialist

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

Phillips & Blackbird: SPORTS

Hong Kong Auction 27 May 2019