From an Important European Collector
828
Rolex
Ref. 18078
Day-Date
A very fine, well-preserved and rare yellow gold wristwatch with center seconds, day, date, lapis lazuli dial, bracelet, guarantee and presentation box
- Estimate
- HK$195,000 - 390,000€20,500 - 41,000$25,000 - 50,000
HK$403,200
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- Rolex
- Year
- Circa 1987
- Reference No
- 18078
- Movement No
- 897’974
- Case No
- 9’582’330, inside caseback stamped 18000
- Model Name
- Day-Date
- Material
- 18K yellow gold
- Calibre
- Automatic, cal. 3055, 27 jewels
- Bracelet/Strap
- 18K yellow gold Rolex President bark-finished bracelet, max length 180mm
- Clasp/Buckle
- 18K yellow gold Rolex concealed folding clasp
- Dimensions
- 36mm diameter
- Signed
- Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed
- Accessories
- Accompanied by Rolex guarantee stamped Watches of Switzerland Limited dated 28th January 1988, instruction manual, product literature, letter, Watches of Switzerland privileged customer card, green card holder, hang tag and fitted presentation box.
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
The Rolex Day-Date is one that is admired by most due to its iconic status, diversification and most notably its timeless appeal. First introduced in the mid-1950s, the Day-Date was a phenomenal breakthrough for the firm as it was the world’s first self-winding chronometer wristwatch with a waterproof case as well as a day and date indication at 12 and 3 o’clock.
In 1977, Rolex introduced the Day-Date ref. 18000 series fitted with an upgraded cal. 3055 beating at 28800 bph enhancing its robustness and precision. Since the ref. 1800 series, the Day-Date has witnessed a wide array of case and dial materials to cater to the demand for diversity. Hardstone dials are among one of the most celebrated materials to be incorporated, as each hardstone is unique deriving from various species. Requiring extreme precision and precautions, each hardstone dial is delicately cut to fit the specification of the dial. Each hardstone has its own distinct hardness as well as its natural mottling and texture making it an extremely difficult task to execute.
The present Rolex Day-Date ref. 18078 in yellow gold with a bark-finished bezel and center links displays a highly desirable lapis lazuli dial with strong gold inclusions that pairs wonderfully with the yellow gold case. Offered with its full set of accessories with a guarantee dated 1988, the present timepiece is with no doubt a rare example. With the continuous rise in demand for vintage Day-Date timepieces, this present specimen will surely captivate the attention of Rolex enthusiasts.
In 1977, Rolex introduced the Day-Date ref. 18000 series fitted with an upgraded cal. 3055 beating at 28800 bph enhancing its robustness and precision. Since the ref. 1800 series, the Day-Date has witnessed a wide array of case and dial materials to cater to the demand for diversity. Hardstone dials are among one of the most celebrated materials to be incorporated, as each hardstone is unique deriving from various species. Requiring extreme precision and precautions, each hardstone dial is delicately cut to fit the specification of the dial. Each hardstone has its own distinct hardness as well as its natural mottling and texture making it an extremely difficult task to execute.
The present Rolex Day-Date ref. 18078 in yellow gold with a bark-finished bezel and center links displays a highly desirable lapis lazuli dial with strong gold inclusions that pairs wonderfully with the yellow gold case. Offered with its full set of accessories with a guarantee dated 1988, the present timepiece is with no doubt a rare example. With the continuous rise in demand for vintage Day-Date timepieces, this present specimen will surely captivate the attention of Rolex enthusiasts.
Rolex
Swiss | 1905Founded 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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