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

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: circa 1976
    Reference No: 1601
    Movement No: D711'981
    Case No: 4'110'096
    Model Name: Datejust
    Material: 18K white gold
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 1570, 26 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel pin buckle
    Dimensions: 36mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed

  • Catalogue Essay

    In production from 1959 to 1977, reference 1601 is characterized by ribbed bezel, three-piece case, and “pie-pan” style dial, with an outer recessed sloped track. While it was usually produced in either yellow gold, stainless steel or steel-and-gold, an extremely scarce number of pieces were realized in white gold. These white gold examples are highly collectible and among the most difficult-to-come-by Datejust specimens.

    For the joy of the discerning collector, the present piece is in fact an excellently preserved example of this very rare iteration of the model. A paradigm of understatement, the true importance of this piece is apparent only through its weight and the subtly different shine of white gold compared to stainless steel. The silver sunburst dial present on this example perfectly complements the algid beauty of the case for an extremely elegant final result.

  • 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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951

Ref. 1601
A fine and very rare white gold automatic wristwatch with center seconds and date

circa 1976
36mm Diameter
Case, dial and movement signed

Estimate
HK$64,000 - 96,000 
€7,000-10,600
$8,200-12,300

Sold for HK$93,750

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