Rolex - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: TWO Hong Kong Monday, May 30, 2016 | Phillips

Create your first list.

Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.

  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: 1966
    Reference No: 1016
    Movement No: 52'596
    Case No: 1'380'636
    Model Name: Explorer
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Automatic, 1570, 26 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet, 175 mm. maximum length
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex folding deployant clasp stamped 4.66
    Dimensions: 36 mm. diameter
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed

  • Catalogue Essay

    Explorer watches were produced to withstand the perils of alpine expeditions and the elements. This watch is among the last examples of reference 1016 to be fitted with a lacquer dial and gilt lettering. The black lacquer dial has aged to a beautiful and even tropical colour which completely transforms the look of this watch. The numerals have also aged to an ivory colour which match the hands on the watch. This watch is preserved with very sharp and original edges, and is furthermore accompanied with a bracelet stamped for the fourth quarter of 1966, which leads us to believe that it is original to the watch. Overall, this watch is a fantastic example.

  • 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

283

Ref. 1016
A very rare stainless steel wristwatch with sweep centre seconds, black lacquer 'tropical' dial and bracelet

1966
36 mm. diameter
Case, dial and movement signed

Estimate
HK$80,000 - 150,000 

Sold for HK$237,500

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: TWO

Hong Kong Auction 31 May 2016