Rolex - WINNING ICONS – Legendary Watches of the 20th Century New York Thursday, October 26, 2017 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: 1977
    Reference No: 1804
    Movement No: DD258230
    Case No: 5’055’771
    Model Name: Day-Date ‘Octopussy’
    Material: 18K yellow gold, sapphires and diamonds
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 1556, 26 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: 18K yellow gold, diamond and sapphire-set Rolex President bracelet, max. length 195mm
    Clasp/Buckle: 18k yellow gold, diamond and sapphire-set Rolex concealed folding deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 36mm diameter

  • Catalogue Essay

    Rolex’s Day-Date wristwatch is an iconic model both for its classic masculine case, and early innovative automatic movement. It was the first watch ever to display the day of the week spelled out in its entirety. Officially launched in 1956, the Day-Date is amongst the most universally known and beloved luxury watches, having a level of style, elegance, and desirability that few other watches will ever see. The present Rolex Day-Date reference 1804 is a very rare and extraordinary example, exhibiting wonderful workmanship that illustrates the best of Rolex’s know-how. Fitted with the most lavish and most exclusive version of Rolex’s famous President bracelet, it is adorned with round brilliant-cut diamonds on the outer links, accented with baguette-cut sapphires on the center links. The cylindrically set diamonds prominently rise high above the links and resemble the look of the suction cups on an octopus’ tentacles, affectionately called ‘Octopussy’ by the collector community. Manufactured in 1977, this watch is fitted with an elegant champagne dial, enriched with baguette sapphire hour markers that complement the bracelet, and a white gold bezel enhanced with 48 diamonds. Offered in superb condition with hardly any traces of being worn – even the factory case back sticker remains in place. It is a stunning example of Rolex’s most prestigious version of the Day-Date, making it a true trophy timepiece for the discerning collector.

  • 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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Ref. 1804
An extremely rare, important, and impressive yellow gold, diamond and baguette sapphire-set calendar wristwatch with center seconds and bracelet.

1977
Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed
36mm diameter

Estimate
$100,000 - 200,000 
CHF97,400-195,000
€85,200-170,000
HK$781,000-1,560,000

Sold for $125,000

Contact Specialist
Paul Boutros
Head of Watches, Americas
+1 212 940 1293
pboutros@phillips.com

WINNING ICONS – Legendary Watches of the 20th Century

New York Auction 26 October 2017