Rolex - The Geneva Watch Auction: FIVE Geneva Friday, May 12, 2017 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: circa 1972
    Reference No: 1803
    Movement No: DD162'652
    Case No: 3'031'490
    Model Name: Day-Date
    Material: 18k yellow gold
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 1556, 26 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: 18k yellow gold Rolex Jubilee bracelet, 190 mm. max. lenght
    Clasp/Buckle: 18k yellow gold Rolex folding deployant clasp stamped 3.72
    Dimensions: 36 mm. Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex fitted box, punched Attestation de Chronomètre Officiel, punched guarantee and product literature.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Rolex is a brand better known for its tool watches, yet the Day-Date with “Stella” dial is a vibrant and playful homage to the brand’s creativity and "out of the box" thinking.

    The nickname “Stella”, Latin for “star”, was given due to the spectacular multi-layered lacquer coated dials combined with vibrant and rich colors that create an impressive, reflective surface that glistens.

    Rolex’s sought after "Stella" dials were produced from the 1960s to the 1990s and were fitted in cases made of yellow gold, pink gold, white gold or platinum. Since the firm ceased their production, these colorful lacquered "Stella" dials have now achieved cult status amongst collectors and purists.

    The present Day-Date, reference 1803, features a flamboyant coral 'Stella’ dial, providing an arresting contrast with the yellow gold case.

    Preserved in superb condition, the present watch will appeal to the non-conformist collector on a hunt for exclusive timepieces.

  • 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 fine and rare yellow gold calendar wristwatch with coral 'Stella' dial, date, center seconds, bracelet, punched guarantee, punched Attestation de Chronomètre and box

circa 1972
36 mm. Diameter
Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed

Estimate
CHF15,000 - 25,000 
€13,900-23,200
$14,900-24,800

Sold for CHF27,500

Contact Specialist
Alexandre Ghotbi
+41 22 317 81 89

The Geneva Watch Auction: FIVE

Geneva Auctions 13 – 14 May 2017