Rolex - The Geneva Watch Auction: SIX Geneva Friday, November 10, 2017 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: 1987
    Reference No: 18039
    Movement No: 1'635'034
    Case No: R60'158
    Model Name: Day-Date
    Material: 18K white gold
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 3035, 27 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: 18K white gold Rolex President bracelet, max length 180mm.
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K white gold Rolex concealed folding deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 36mm. diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed

  • Catalogue Essay

    Displaying all hallmarks and strong finishes to the top of the lugs and caseback, the present Day-Date, cased in white gold, was made upon special order for the His Majesty Qaboos bin Said Al Said, the Sultan of Oman. The most striking feature is the green Khanjar logo at 9 o'clock. His Majesty commissioned many watch manufacturers to create custom order pieces, which displayed the "Qaboos" or a "Khanjar" symbol. Rolex is best known for creating these custom pieces, and these timepieces were presented to the most distinguished dignitaries and members of staff.

    This example most notably features a crown above the Khanjar logo. It was only after 1976, following the end of the Dhofar rebellion, that the Sultan's watches displayed the crown emblem. As a result, Day-Dates fitted with a crown and Khanjar symbol are only fitted with a sapphire crystal, such as the present watch which was manufactured in 1987.

  • 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. 18039
A fine and rare white gold calendar wristwatch with centre seconds and bracelet, made for the Sultanate of Oman

1987
36mm. diameter
Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed

Estimate
CHF20,000 - 40,000 
€17,300-34,500
$20,700-41,300

Sold for CHF35,000

Contact Specialist
Alexandre Ghotbi
+41 22 317 81 89
aghotbi@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: SIX

Geneva Auctions 11 - 12 November 2017