Rolex - Phillips & Blackbird: SPORTS Hong Kong Sunday, May 26, 2019 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1988
    Reference No: 16528, inner caseback stamped 16500
    Case No: R985’280
    Model Name: Cosmograph Daytona, “Floating Cosmograph”
    Material: 18K yellow gold
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 4030, 31 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: 18K yellow gold Rolex Oyster bracelet, max length 190 mm
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Rolex deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 39 mm diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed
    Accessories: With blank Rolex guarantee punched with matching numbers, Rolex presentation box, leather wallet, product literature and calendar of 1989 & 1990
    Literature: For another example of a porcelain dial Daytona, reference 16520, please see Ultimate Rolex Daytona by Pucci Papaleo, pp. 540 - 543

  • Catalogue Essay

    Fitted in an awe-inspiring 18K yellow gold case, the current wristwatch stands out with its wonderful “Mark I” white porcelain dial. One of the most desired configurations today, a number of unique characteristics contribute to the fervent following towards the “Mark 1” design. Most remarkably, the “Cosmograph” lettering is separated from the other four lines of text “Rolex, Oyster Perpetual, Superlative Chronometer, Officially Certified”, contributing to its “Floating Cosmograph” moniker. In addition, the subsidiary dial above the six o'clock features an inverted “6" which looks like a “9”. It is also a tritium dial and is labeled as "T SWISS T" at six o'clock.

    Adding another element of desirability, the “Mark 1” dial of the present watch is made of fine white porcelain, which amply exudes an awe-striking luster unmissable by its beholders. Today, the porcelain dial with serial R has become hugely popular amongst watch collectors due to its imposing look and rarity. This watch also features a period-correct 18K yellow gold bezel which was marked till the unit of 200. Being from the very first R-series, the present example is accompanied by a blank guarantee punched with matching numbers, box, in addition to other accessories.

  • 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

853

Ref. 16528, inner caseback stamped 16500
A fine and very rare yellow gold chronograph wristwatch with “Floating Cosmograph” white porcelain dial, bracelet, guarantee and presentation box

Circa 1988
39 mm diameter
Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed

Estimate
HK$620,000 - 1,200,000 
€71,400-138,000
$80,000-160,000

Sold for HK$1,312,500

Contact Specialist

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

Phillips & Blackbird: SPORTS

Hong Kong Auction 27 May 2019