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

Create your first list.

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

  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1995
    Reference No: 18338
    Case No: W021820
    Model Name: Day-Date
    Material: 18k gold
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 3155, 31 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: 18k gold Rolex President bracelet, max. length 190mm
    Clasp/Buckle: 18k gold Rolex concealed deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 35mm diameter
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed

  • Catalogue Essay

    In the early nineties, Rolex released modern versions of the iconic Stella dials which had made their first appearance in the 1970s. The overall lacquered finish was virtually identical to that of the vintage versions, but the amount produced might be even more scarce than the previous iteration due to a shift in the taste of the market toward much more subdued dial designs - a trend typical of the late 1980s and the 1990s. Now such pieces are considered as collectible as their vintage counterparts.

    Alongside the classic monochrome Stella style, Rolex faithfully re-produced also the more rare dégradé versions, such as the one exemplified in this lot, characterized by the color of the dial becoming gradually darker the closer one looks at the edge of the dial. Finding a 1990s Day-Date with degradé dial is in itself occasion for celebration for the connoisseur of fine timepieces, but when it comes in such an unspoiled, diamond-set case and featuring diamond-set numerals, the delight is even stronger. Gem-set pieces were made in extremely low numbers, probably also as consequence of the more understated taste typical of the era.

  • 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

959

Ref. 18338
A very fine, rare and attractive gold and diamond-set wristwatch with sweep centre seconds, day, date, Dégradé dial and bracelet

Circa 1995
35mm diameter
Case, dial and movement signed

Estimate
HK$80,000 - 160,000 
€8,700-17,400
$10,000-20,000

Sold for HK$162,500

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

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: FIVE

Hong Kong Auction 28 November 2017