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

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: 1961
    Reference No: 1804
    Case No: 740'147
    Model Name: Day-Date
    Material: Platinum and diamonds
    Calibre: Automatic, 1555
    Bracelet/Strap: Rolex President
    Clasp/Buckle: Folding deployant clasp, stamped 4.60
    Dimensions: 36mm. Diameter
    Signed: Movement, dial, case and bracelet signed

  • Catalogue Essay

    At first glance of this superb platinum Day-Date realized in the early Sixties, it is impossible not to be spellbound. Many distinguishing features of the present lot appeal to collectors, however after a closer look a greater emotion prevails.

    The outstanding dial sported by this timepiece displays a geometrical decoration recalling futurist patterns and is enriched with 8 round cut diamond hour markers and two baguette-cut diamonds at 6 and 9 o’clock. The platinum bezel of this 1804 reference is fitted with 44 round cut diamonds.

    The emotional impact of this outstanding wristwatch prevails over the technical aspects of merely telling the time. Designed and manufactured in the early years of the Day-Date's history, the present example illustrates perfectly the creative genius behind this historic Rolex watch.

  • 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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The Brooklyn Bridge

21

Ref. 1804
A very rare and highly unusual platinum and diamond-set calendar wristwatch with bracelet, centre seconds and rare linear geometric engraved dial

1961
36mm. Diameter
Movement, dial, case and bracelet signed

Estimate
CHF50,000 - 100,000 

Sold for CHF305,000

Contact Specialist
Livia Russo
+41 22 317 81 86

Glamorous Day-Date

Geneva Auction 9 May 2015 7pm