Rolex - The Geneva Watch Auction: FIVE Geneva Friday, May 12, 2017 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1965
    Reference No: 1803
    Movement No: DD934046
    Case No: 1'233'854
    Model Name: Day-Date "Pepita Burgundy"
    Material: 18K yellow gold
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 1556, 26 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: 18K yellow gold Rolex woven intertwined bracelet, max length 187mm.
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Rolex folding deployant clasp stamped 1.65
    Dimensions: 36mm. Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed
    Literature: The present watch is proudly illustrated in Day-Date, The Presidential Rolex by Pucci Papaleo, page 342 and 343.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Cased in yellow gold, pink gold, white gold or platinum, the Day-Date is one of Rolex's most diverse models. Since 1956, Rolex has produced a multitude of designs for the iconic model. While some are fitted delicate hard stone dials, others are heavily embellished with diamonds.

    Among the most collectible of all Day-Dates are ones fitted with "Stella" dials. Translucent yet vibrant, "Stella" dials offer so much exclusivity to the wearer, as no lacquer dial is exactly the same in appearance.

    The present Day-Date, reference 1803, features a rich Burgundy "Stella" dial, which contrasts vibrantly against the diamond-set numerals. The case is preserved in marvelous condition, and still retains a strong hallmark on the underside of the lug. This watch is powered by the automatic caliber 1556 movement, which features a hacking mechanism that allows precise time-setting.

    The most dazzling feature is the beautiful, thick and fluid handcrafted intertwined bracelet. The overlapping textured design almost mimics the ridges of a seed, and really displays the depth and versatility of yellow gold. Rolex excels at producing exquisite bracelets. The firm has designed a series of special bracelets on top of the iconic President style, such as the ‘tile-link’, Milanese, ‘Octopussy’, brick-link textured bracelet and more.

    The present watch is furthermore proudly displayed in Day-Date, The Presidential Rolex, and lovingly dubbed "Pepita Burgundy" - no doubt an homage to its splendid bracelet, displaying contrasting surface textures, just like that of a delicate seed.

  • 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. 1803
An extremely attractive yellow gold and diamond-set calendar wristwatch with burgundy lacquer "Stella" dial and woven bracelet

Circa 1965
36mm. Diameter
Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed

Estimate
CHF15,000 - 30,000 
€13,900-27,800
$14,900-29,700

Sold for CHF46,250

Contact Specialist
Alexandre Ghotbi
+41 22 317 81 89

The Geneva Watch Auction: FIVE

Geneva Auctions 13 – 14 May 2017