Rolex - Geneva Watch Auction: FOUR Geneva Friday, November 11, 2016 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: 1973
    Reference No: 1803
    Movement No: DD'726'316
    Case No: 3'773'597
    Model Name: Day/Date "Doraemon"
    Material: 18K yellow gold
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 1556, 26 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Dimensions: 36mm. Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed
    Literature: A similar watch with same color dial is featured on the cover of "Day-Date, The Presidential Rolex" by Pucci Papaleo" and further on pp.316-317

  • Catalogue Essay

    Rolex’s iconic “Day-Date” was patented in 1955 and officially launched in 1956, and from its earliest beginnings, was worn by a number of well-known world leaders. The reference became known as the “President’s Watch” following a 1966 Rolex advertisement, which featured this now famous tag-line. The Day-Date model was the first wristwatch to display the day of the week fully spelled out, and while the present lot features English, Rolex offered the watch in 26 different languages.
    For a period between the 1970s and 1990s, the reference 1803 was produced with vibrant, colored lacquered dials, which had the appearance of enamel known as the “Stella” dial. These rare and desirable dials showcase Rolex’s surprising playfulness and creativity, adding life to the classic Day-Date. The present lot has an extremely attractive “azure blue dial”, that is so beautiful, it is the identical dial color fitted on the watch to feature on the cover of “The Day-Date, The Presidential Rolex” by Pucci Papaelo. Preserved in superb, untouched condition, the present lot will certainly speak to any collector of vintage Rolex watches..

  • 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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188

Ref. 1803
A very fine and rare yellow gold calendar wristwatch with light blue colored lacquered “Stella” dial

1973
36mm. Diameter
Case, dial and movement signed

Estimate
CHF12,000 - 18,000 
€11,000-16,500
$12,400-18,600

Sold for CHF23,750

Contact Specialist
Alexandre Ghotbi
+41 22 317 81 89

Geneva Watch Auction: FOUR

Geneva Auctions 12 – 13 November 2016