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51

Rolex

Ref. 18389

Day-Date “Octopussy”

A superlative and well-preserved white gold and diamond-set calendar wristwatch with “Jubilee” diamond-set dial, diamond-set bracelet, guarantee card, and presentation boxes

Estimate
$60,000 - 120,000
Lot Details
Manufacturer
Rolex
Year
Circa 1991
Reference No
18389
Case No
X’576’996
Model Name
Day-Date “Octopussy”
Material
18K white gold, diamonds
Calibre
Automatic, cal. 3155, 31 jewels
Bracelet/Strap
18K white gold and diamond-set Rolex President bracelet, max overall length approx. 180mm
Clasp/Buckle
18K white gold Rolex deployant clasp, stamped F 18006
Dimensions
36mm Diameter
Signed
Case, dial, movement, and bracelet signed.
Accessories
Accompanied by Rolex punched and dated guarantee paper indicating sale in Taiwan, Rolex service card, product literature, leather wallet, wax hang tag, silk handkerchief, fitted presentation box, and outer box.
Catalogue Essay
The present lot is an exquisite example of Rolex’s most prestigious Day-Date – the “Octopussy” – a name coined by collectors for Rolex’s most lavish version of the President bracelet. These exclusive bracelets featured one large diamond or precious stone on every single link. Round brilliant-cut diamonds on each outer link were set in unusual cylindrical settings, flanking a center link with a baguette-cut precious stone. The cylindrically set diamonds rise prominently above the links, resembling the suction cups of an Octopus’s tentacles, giving rise to its charming nickname.

Furthermore, the bezel and lugs are set with round brilliant diamonds, and the hour indexes are diamonds as well. The dial features a most unusual Rolex motif dial, known as the “Jubilee” which was introduced in 1985 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Datejust, and used in various references for a few years afterwards.

The original Taiwanese punched guarantee papers accompany the watch, as well as a lovely suite of accessories including a silk handkerchief. Having recently returned from a service at the manufacturer, the present watch is in tip-top shape and in beautiful original condition, as well as under warranty until 2027.

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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