976
Rolex
Ref. 118238
Day-Date
An incredibly rare and exquisite yellow gold wristwatch with center seconds, Chinese day and date, diamond-set indexes, bull’s eye dial, bracelet, guarantee and presentation box
- Estimate
- HK$200,000 - 350,000€22,100 - 38,700$25,600 - 44,900
HK$406,400
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- Rolex
- Year
- Circa 2001
- Reference No
- 118238
- Movement No
- 38’935’382
- Case No
- K999’527
- Model Name
- Day-Date
- Material
- 18K yellow gold
- Calibre
- Automatic, cal. 3155, 31 jewels
- Bracelet/Strap
- 18K yellow gold Rolex President bracelet, max length 175mm
- Clasp/Buckle
- 18K yellow gold Rolex concealed folding clasp stamped “83858” and “DT6”
- Dimensions
- 36mm diameter
- Signed
- Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed
- Accessories
- Accompanied by Rolex guarantee stamped Lee Chay Watch, Singapore dated 21 Nov 2003, international service guarantee dated 24 March 2022, instruction manual, leather card holder, hang tag, fitted presentation box and outer packaging.
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
The present Rolex Day-Date reference 118238 from the early 2000s features an exceptionally rare bull's eye dial adorned with diamond-set indexes. Despite bull's eye hardstone being renowned for its striking visual appeal, it is seldom used in watchmaking. Its unique patterns, often resembling a bull's eye, enhance the shimmering effect of the watch, making it an extremely special choice. Bull’s eye dials are incredibly scarce, with only a handful of examples ever appearing at auction. Hardstone dials from Rolex have consistently captivated enthusiasts due to their vibrant colors, unique textures and rarity, requiring meticulous precision and dedication to craft such mesmerizing dials.
This example boasts a case with clean, sharp edges and a dial that shows no cracks or fissures. A notable feature is the rare Chinese day and date indication, which is quite uncommon in the market. This may have been a special request by the original owner, reflecting the cultural identity of its wearer. Furthermore, it is accompanied by its guarantee and presentation box, enhancing its collectability.
This example boasts a case with clean, sharp edges and a dial that shows no cracks or fissures. A notable feature is the rare Chinese day and date indication, which is quite uncommon in the market. This may have been a special request by the original owner, reflecting the cultural identity of its wearer. Furthermore, it is accompanied by its guarantee and presentation box, enhancing its collectability.
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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