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

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: 1977
    Reference No: 1803
    Movement No: DD 128'390
    Case No: 5'061'804
    Model Name: Day/Date "Manhattan Sunset”
    Material: 18K pink gold
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 1556, 26 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: 18K pink gold, 185mm. max length
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K pink gold deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 36mm. Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed
    Literature: This watch is featured in The Day-Date the Presidential Rolex by Pucci Papaleo pp.298-299

  • Catalogue Essay

    Since it was first introduced in 1956, the Day-Date experimented with numerous interesting dial combinations, and used various exciting colors, textures and techniques in producing stimulating and vibrant models. This particular watch is distinguished by its unusual lacquered ‘dégradé’ coating, with centripetal gradual color fading resembling a sunset from the dial's center to its outer circumference. The dial’s extraordinary beauty with a rarely seen burnt orange color, is further enhanced with 8 square-cut diamond hour markers and 2 baguette-cut diamonds at 6 and 9 o’clock. Preserved in very attractive condition, the case flank has developed a warm and pleasing patina in warm copper and blue hues. Playfully nicknamed “Manhattan Sunset”, this watch is prominently illustrated in Pucci Papaleo’s “Day-Date, The Presidential Rolex” – a tome dedicated to the most coveted examples of the ‘crowned’ firm’s beloved Day-Date.

  • 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
A rare and attractive pink gold and diamond-set calendar wristwatch with bracelet and burnt orange lacquered dégradé dial

1977
36mm. Diameter
Case, dial and movement signed

Estimate
CHF20,000 - 40,000 

Sold for CHF30,000

Contact Specialist
Alexandre Ghotbi
+41 22 317 81 89

Geneva Watch Auction: FOUR

Geneva Auctions 12 – 13 November 2016