Rolex - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: FIVE Hong Kong Monday, November 27, 2017 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1983
    Reference No: 18038
    Case No: 8'049'352
    Model Name: Day-Date
    Material: 18k gold
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 3055, 27 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: 18k gold Rolex President bracelet, max. length 190mm
    Clasp/Buckle: 18k gold Rolex concealed deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 36mm diameter
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed
    Literature: The present watch is prominently described and illustrated in Day-Date The Presidential Rolex by Pucci Papaleo, pp. 346-347

  • Catalogue Essay

    Pink Stella dials are among the most rare, and finding an example is such exquisite condition as the present one is extremely unusual. Not only the dial is pristine, but the case as is unpolished, still retaining the original factory sticker to the case back. From the fullness of the lugs to sharpness of the edges, it is obvious we are in presence of one of these rare instances in which the case of the watch has never been touched. The presence of minor surface marks is exactly what one should expect from the never-restored case of 34-years-old wristwatch, and further confirms the unadulterated nature of this timepiece.

    Such attractive and original condition have in fact prompted legendary Rolex scholar Pucci Papaleo to include the piece in his anthology of the Day-Date model: Day-Date The Presidential Rolex. The pink tonality of the dial probably coupled with the supreme attractiveness of the piece prompted him to dub the piece "Marylin".

  • 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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921

Ref. 18038
A very fine, rare and attractive gold automatic wristwatch with sweep centre seconds, day, date, pink Stella dial and bracelet, A.K.A "Marilyn"

Circa 1983
36mm diameter
Case, dial and movement signed

Estimate
HK$200,000 - 300,000 
€21,800-32,600
$25,000-38,000

Sold for HK$437,500

Contact Specialist
Ziyong Ho
Specialist
+852 9386 2032
yong.ho@phillips.com

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: FIVE

Hong Kong Auction 28 November 2017