Rolex - The Geneva Watch Auction: THREE Geneva Saturday, May 14, 2016 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: 1998
    Reference No: 18206, stamped 18200 inside the case back
    Movement No: 7'789'235
    Case No: A603'314
    Model Name: Day-Date
    Material: Platinum
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 3155, 31 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Platinum Rolex President, reference 8385, end links stamped 55B, max length 195mm
    Clasp/Buckle: Folding clasp
    Dimensions: 36mm. Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex punched guarantee confirming the sale of the present watch on September, 1999, presentation box with outer packaging, two notepads and swing tag

  • Catalogue Essay

    “Stella” dials represent the spirit of Rolex in its most playful and delightful form. Expressed through a brilliant range of stunning, truly colorful dials produced for a limited time during the vibrant 1970s and 1980s, Rolex bestowed them with the name “Stella” probably due to the dazzling brilliance they emit when subjected to any type of light. Fabricated using Rolex’s impeccably high standards, multiple layers of lacquer combine to form deep and rich colors with highly reflective surfaces often mistaken for porcelain or enamel.

    Mainly sold in American, Middle Eastern and Asian markets, at the time, these brightly colored dials did not find great success in Europe. Today, collectors throughout the world seek out Day-Dates fitted with Stella dials. The present watch, crafted in solid platinum, features a deep and romantic azure blue Stella dial, highlighted with the correct silver printing. It further impresses with its smooth bezel and diamond-set hour markers, making it a perfect representation of the luxurious and mythical nature of the Day-Date. Its superb overall condition, massive weight, vivid blue dial, and sleek, platinum-colored sheen, make it a must-have for any serious collector.

  • Artist Biography

    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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107

Ref. 18206, stamped 18200 inside the case back
A very fine and rare platinum calendar wristwatch with azure colored enamel lacquered "Stella" dial, diamond-set hour markers and bracelet

1998
36mm. Diameter
Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed

Estimate
CHF35,000 - 70,000 
€32,100-64,300
$36,100-72,100

Sold for CHF70,000

Contact Specialist
Nathalie Monbaron
+41 22 317 81 83

The Geneva Watch Auction: THREE

Geneva Auction 15 May 2016