1011

Rolex

Ref. 18956SACO

Day-Date Pearlmaster

A striking and very rare platinum wristwatch with orange sapphire-set bezel, diamond-set meteorite dial, center seconds, day, date, bracelet and presentation box

Estimate
HK$320,000–480,000
€35,900–53,900
$41,000–61,500
Manufacturer
Rolex
Year
Circa 2000
Movement No
8’622’831
Reference No
18956SACO
Case No
P198’846
Model Name
Day-Date Pearlmaster
Material
Platinum
Calibre
Automatic, cal. 3155, 31 jewels
Bracelet/Strap
Platinum Rolex Pearlmaster bracelet, endlinks stamped “130”, max length 180mm
Clasp/Buckle
Platinum Rolex folding clasp stamped “72746 AB”
Dimensions
39mm diameter
Signed
Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed
Accessories
Accompanied by Rolex service guarantee dated 31st August 2023, service papers, fitted presentation box and outer packaging.
Read Conditions of Sale
Good To Know:
- Very rare variant with orange-sapphire bezel, meteorite dial and diamond-set indexes
- First time of such example to appear in the auction market
- Serviced by Rolex in 2023
- Hefty platinum case and bracelet

The Rolex Day-Date Pearlmaster Ref. 18956 is a rare and commanding interpretation of the iconic Day-Date. Its solid platinum case and bracelet possess an unmistakable heft. Dense, cool, and substantial in the hand, this extraordinary example is distinguished by a combination of almost impossible rarity: a SACO orange sapphire bezel paired with a meteorite dial. The vivid, translucent orange sapphire burns against the cool, crystalline grey of the meteorite which unique pattern formed in the depths of space. Furthermore, pear-shaped diamonds at 6 and 9 o’clock further punctuate the dial with refined sparkle.

Powered by the Rolex Caliber 3155, the watch retains the signature day and date complications while delivering the precision and reliability for which the manufacture is renowned. A first to debut in the auction market, this example was serviced at Rolex in 2023. A true collector’s masterpiece, this Pearlmaster unites the tangible weight of platinum with a dazzling and nearly singular material dialogue between sapphire and meteorite.

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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