Rolex - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: ONE Hong Kong Monday, November 30, 2015 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: 1978
    Reference No: 1680
    Movement No: D901514
    Case No: 5'726'776
    Model Name: Submariner
    Material: 18k yellow gold
    Calibre: Automatic, 1570, 26 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: 18k yellow gold Rolex Oyster bracelet, 200 mm. maximum length
    Clasp/Buckle: 18k yellow gold Rolex twinlock folding deployant clasp stamped Rolex SA
    Dimensions: 39 mm. diameter
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed
    Literature: For another example of a reference 1680 in yellow gold however with "Kanjar" dial, please see 100 Superlative Rolex Watches by John Goldberger, page 188.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Vintage gold Submariners, reference 1680 with date, are very rare watches and are seldom seen at auction. The present example with original gold Oyster bracelet is further enhanced by its "tropical" original "nipple" dial. The original deep blue dial with gilt graphics has turned purple but the centre has continued to age, turning "tropical" brown giving the watch immense character and a very refined look. The luminous hands and numerals have aged consistently together giving a very warm orange tone.

  • 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.

    View More Works

168

Ref. 1680
A fine and rare yellow gold wristwatch with sweep centre seconds, "tropical" dial and bracelet

1978
39 mm. diameter
Case, dial and movement signed

Estimate
HK$150,000 - 250,000 

Sold for HK$175,000

Contact Specialist

Thomas Perazzi
Head of Watches, Asia
+852 2318 2001
thomasperazzi@phillips.com

Ziyong Ho
Specialist
+852 9386 2032
ziyongho@phillips.com

Jill Chen
Specialist
+852 2318 2033
jillchen@phillips.com

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: ONE

Hong Kong Auction 1 December 2015 11am