1052
Rolex
Ref. 118209
Day-Date
A rare and highly attractive white gold wristwatch with bracelet, center seconds, day, date, emerald and diamond-set indexes
- Estimate
- HK$130,000 - 220,000€14,600 - 24,800$16,700 - 28,200
- Manufacturer
- Rolex
- Year
- Circa 2003
- Reference No
- 118209
- Case No
- Y’374’426
- Model Name
- Day-Date
- Material
- 18K white gold, diamonds and emeralds
- Calibre
- Automatic, cal. 3155, 31 jewels
- Bracelet/Strap
- 18K white gold Rolex Oyster bracelet, max length 180mm
- Clasp/Buckle
- 18K white gold Rolex Oyster concealed folding clasp
- Dimensions
- 36mm diameter
- Signed
- Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed
Catalogue Essay
Distinguished by its white gold case, the present ref. 118209 is not just an ordinary example but one fitted with a sophisticated silver dial with emerald and diamond-set indexes, a combination that is visually arresting and gives the watch its incredible appearance. Bearing a “Y” serial dating back to circa 2003, the present Day-Date’s condition is astonishing, still retaining its sharp edges and proportions, this is a rare example to come across, especially with the emerald-set indexes at 6 and 9 o’clock, that true Day-Date collectors should not miss.
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.