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925

Rolex

Ref. 52509

1908

A fine and attractive white gold wristwatch with small seconds, black dial, guarantee and presentation box

Estimate
HK$95,000 - 190,000
€10,500 - 21,000
$12,200 - 24,400
HK$165,100
Lot Details
Manufacturer
Rolex
Year
Circa 2024
Reference No
52509
Movement No
9152R3Z1
Case No
838D13C3
Model Name
1908
Material
18K white gold
Calibre
Automatic, cal. 7140, 38 jewels
Bracelet/Strap
Leather
Clasp/Buckle
18K white gold Rolex deployant clasp
Dimensions
39mm diameter
Signed
Case, dial, movement and clasp signed
Accessories
Accompanied by Rolex guarantee dated 7 February 2024, instruction manual, product literature, hang tag, fitted presentation box, outer packaging and retailer invoice.
Catalogue Essay
Named after the year Rolex was registered in Switzerland, the Perpetual 1908 is a refined and elegant dress watch that marks a new direction for the brand. It is part of the new Perpetual collection, which was introduced to replace the Cellini. The design is very much inspired by the original Oyster Perpetual back in 1931. With a slim 39mm case and a distinctive Divided Bezel (half-fluted-half-doomed), the watch exudes classic sophistication. The dial features Art Deco-style numerals and a small seconds subdial, while the observatory-style hour hand adds a vintage touch. Among the yellow and pink gold variants, the present example stands out with its understated 18K white gold case with its matte black dial.

Powered by the new automatic Caliber 7140, the movement is visible through a sapphire caseback, which is a rare feature for Rolex. It includes Rolex's Syloxi silicon hairspring, something that had been reserved for smaller models e.g. Datejust 31. The present reference marks the first time to use Syloxi in a larger watch and pairing it with its Chronergy escapement.

With the 1908, Rolex creates a lasting conversation between its bold beginnings and its refined expertise. Its reflection on the past serves not only as a tribute but also as a clear statement of a new direction for the brand. Accompanied by its full set of accessories, the present 18K white gold example is the first 1908 to be offered at Phillips.

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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