Rolex - The Geneva Watch Auction: SEVEN Geneva Saturday, May 12, 2018 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1979
    Reference No: 18038
    Movement No: 0'161'738
    Case No: 5'729'435
    Model Name: Day-Date
    Material: 18K yellow gold and wood
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 3055, 27 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: Gold plated Rolex buckle
    Dimensions: 36mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
    Accessories: accompanied by blank Rolex punched Garantie
    Literature: A similar example is illustrated in Day-Date The Presidential Rolex by Pucci Papaleo, p. 280.

  • Catalogue Essay

    The present watch is a beautiful example featuring a briar root wood dial and a "Khanjar" emblem at 6 o'clock. During the 1970s, His Majesty Qaboos bin Said Al Said, the Sultan of Oman, commissioned many watch manufacturers to create custom order pieces, many of which displayed the "Qaboos" or a "Khanjar" symbol. Rolex is best known for creating such special pieces. The combination of the Khanjar symbol contrasting against the flecks of brown wood is particularly stunning.

    The crisp and sharp condition of this watch is especially noteworthy. Featuring bold and full proportions, the top of the lugs are very sharp. The bottom of the lugs display deep hallmarks. Furthermore, the original Rolex sticker is present on the caseback, showing how little if any intervention this watch has seen throughout its lifespan. The presence of the punched Rolex Garantie adds a final layer of appeal and collectability to this remarkable timepiece.

  • 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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149

Ref. 18038
A rare and attractive yellow gold calendar wristwatch with wood dial, center seconds, and Garantie, made for the Sultanate of Oman

Circa 1979
36mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

Estimate
CHF20,000 - 30,000 
€17,100-25,700
$21,200-31,800

Sold for CHF30,000

Contact Specialist
Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Sale
+41 22 317 81 81
aghotbi@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: SEVEN

Geneva Auction 12-13 May 2018