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

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: 1977
    Reference No: 1803
    Movement No: DD202'149
    Case No: 5'175'417
    Model Name: Day-Date
    Material: 18k yellow gold
    Calibre: Automatic, cal.1556, 26 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: 18k yellow gold, Rolex President, end links stamped 53
    Clasp/Buckle: Concealed deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 36mm. Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed

  • Catalogue Essay

    Brilliant, lacquered “Stella” dials were produced for over a decade in a range of powerful colors, including oxblood, turquoise, orange, black, and blue. Some of these colors are especially rare and extremely sought after, including the present reference 1803 with its rarely seen coral colored dial.

    The extraordinary pale coral color permits the black printed text to stand out prominently. The dial’s beauty is further enhanced with 8 round brilliant-cut diamond hour markers and 2 baguette-cut diamonds at 6 and 9 o’clock. Preserved in excellent condition, it shows minimal signs of careful wear, as evidenced by the partially intact, original factory sticker found on the case back.

  • 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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Ref. 1803
A very rare and attractive yellow gold and diamond calendar wristwatch with bracelet and coral colored lacquered "Stella" dial

1977
36mm. Diameter
Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed

Estimate
CHF20,000 - 40,000 
€18,400-36,700
$20,600-41,200

Sold for CHF52,500

Contact Specialist
Nathalie Monbaron
+41 22 317 81 83

The Geneva Watch Auction: THREE

Geneva Auction 15 May 2016