Rolex - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: EIGHT Hong Kong Monday, May 27, 2019 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1985
    Reference No: No. 5513, inside case back stamped 5512, further engraved John Bull Bahamas 28/50
    Case No: 8’673’229
    Model Name: Submariner, “John Bull”
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 1520, 26 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet with later bark finish, stamped "93150", end links stamped "5801", max length 215mm
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex deployant clasp with later bark finish, stamped "93150" and "I12"
    Dimensions: 40mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed
    Accessories: Accompanied with original Rolex Guarantee signed Ginza Ltd, Freeport Bahamas, stamped John Bull Nassau Bahamas and dated May 2nd, 1987, green leather Rolex presentation box, red leather envelop and product literature

  • Catalogue Essay

    John Bull is well-known to many savvy travelers passing through the Bahamas. A third generation family owned shopper’s paradise with brand names like Chanel, Givenchy and Bvlgari, they are the authorized Rolex Dealer in the Bahamas. The present reference 5513 was sold through John Bull as a modified Rolex wristwatch featuring a bark finish to the case and bracelet and the case back engraved John Bull Bahamas, 28/50 with the assumption that the firm amended 50 of their watches and sold them as specialty items. In excellent overall condition, the watch is complete with Rolex guarantee stamped by John Bull and green leather presentation box.

  • 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

934

Ref. No. 5513, inside case back stamped 5512, further engraved John Bull Bahamas 28/50
A fine stainless steel wristwatch with bark finish, bracelet, original guarantee and presentation box

Circa 1985
40mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed

Estimate
HK$120,000 - 200,000 
€13,500-22,600
$15,400-25,600

Sold for HK$187,500

Contact Specialist

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

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: EIGHT

Hong Kong Auction 28 May 2019