Rolex - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: SIX Hong Kong Monday, May 28, 2018 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1985
    Reference No: 6263
    Case No: 8'885'047
    Model Name: Cosmograph Daytona
    Material: 18K yellow gold
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 727, 17 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: 18K yellow gold Rolex Oyster stamped "71" to the endlinks, maximum length 180mm
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K gold Rolex deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 37.5mm diameter
    Signed: case, dial, movement and clasp signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by undated and unstamped Rolex punched Garantie, sale tags, red leather fitted presentation box and outer packaging

  • Catalogue Essay

    The present example an exceedingly rare specimen of reference 6263 realized in gold. Conceived as watch destined to meet the demands of professional racing drivers, the utilitarian, robust and very light steel case was the elective material for this model. At the time of commercialization, gold versions sold very poorly as the expensive, heavy and scratch-prone material was an illogical choice in light of the elected destination of the piece. Only very few eclectic watch enthusiasts purchased the gold models, thus making them extremely scarce and equally collectible.

    Today, however, a gold Daytona does not surprise the public in the least, quite the opposite: the official Rolex website at the moment of cataloguing lists 36 gold versions, and 2 steel versions. Consequently, vintage gold models are celebrated as ultimate collectibles. In this instance, the watch features a black dial, which mesmerizingly contrasts with the luxurious gold case. Adding to the aesthetic appeal of this watch, in a remarkable stroke of luck the luminous material has aged to a strong vanilla tone nearly perfectly matching the champagne subsidiary counters of the dial. Even the bracelet of the present piece is noteworthy, as it is one of the very rare examples with "71" endlinks. The presence of the original punched Warranty (Garantie) and box are the perfect topping to this rare and very attractive piece of horological art.

  • 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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FROM AN IMPORTANT ASIAN COLLECTOR

824

Ref. 6263
A very fine and rare yellow gold chronograph wristwatch with bracelet, Garantie and box

Circa 1985
37.5mm diameter
case, dial, movement and clasp signed

Estimate
HK$960,000 - 1,440,000 
€106,000-159,000
$123,000-185,000

Sold for HK$1,687,500

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: SIX

Hong Kong Auction 29 May 2018