Manufacturer: Rolex Year: Circa 1987 Reference No: 19028 further stamped 19000 inside caseback Movement No: 0'104'924 Case No: 9'723'135 Model Name: OysterQuartz Day-Date Material: 18K yellow gold Calibre: Quartz, cal. 5055, 11 jewels Bracelet/Strap: 18K yellow gold Rolex bracelet with “Pyramide” center links, max length 185mm Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Rolex concealed folding deployant clasp stamped "19028" Dimensions: 36mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and clasp signed Literature: For another example of reference 19028, please see Day-Date, The Presidential Rolex by Pucci Papaleo, page 438.
Catalogue Essay
From the 1970s, Rolex decided to develop its own in-house quartz movements. Starting with the caliber 5035 for the DateJust, they soon developed the caliber 5055 for the Day-Date. A new line named "OysterQuartz" was soon released, and was the model decorated with a variety of design flourishes. The model displays an angular case, an integrated bracelet, a flat sapphire crystal and most importantly, ticking seconds.
The present reference 19028 distinguished itself by a sculptural design. Nicknamed “Pyramide”, the bezel and the bracelet’s center links are composed of small shapes that recalls its namesake. Rare and extremely sought after, this model responds particularly badly to overpolishing, yet the present example is preserved in excellent condition.
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.
Ref. 19028 further stamped 19000 inside caseback A very rare and attractive yellow gold quartz wristwatch with day, date, center seconds and “Pyramide” bracelet
Circa 1987 36mm Diameter Case, dial, movement and clasp signed