Rolex - The Geneva Watch Auction: XI Geneva Sunday, June 28, 2020 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1986
    Reference No: 18038
    Movement No: 1'748'864
    Case No: 9'691'013
    Model Name: Day-Date "Stella"
    Material: 18K yellow gold
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 3055, 27 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: 18K yellow gold Rolex President bracelet stamped "55" to the endlinks, max length 200mm
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Rolex concealed deployant clasp stamped "8385" and "M2"
    Dimensions: 36mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and clasp signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex punched Guarantee stamped by Italian retailer Bedetti s.r.l. and dated May 7, 1988, calendar card for the years 1988/1989, leather cardholder, product literature, "faux seal" hangtag, polishing cloth and fitted leather presentation box

  • Catalogue Essay

    With its production starting in 1977 and ending in 1988, reference 18038 was distinguished by its new-at-the-time scratch-proof sapphire crystal, an upgrade from the original Plexiglas. While today sapphire crystal are accepted as standard for a wristwatch, at the time it was revolutionary.

    Reference 18038 is one of the last models to be fitted with extraordinarily attractive lacquer dials (dubbed “stella” - “star”, in Italian - by Rolex), such as the case for the present watch, featuring an immaculate burgundy Stella dial.

    Furthermore, the piece is offered in absolutely stunning condition, obviously unpolished and probably unworn, and still retaining the flawless green Rolex sticker to the back. The dial as well is in similar condition, without a single flaw and fully retaining the tritium luminous accents, now aged to a warm camel hue.

    Of course, such an outstanding condition is matched with the presence of its original accessories. When looking at the punched guarantee card, one notices that the present watch was sold in Rome by Rolex retailer “Bedetti”, thus perfectly explaining the rare and sough-after Italian calendar which blesses the present timepiece.

  • 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. 18038
A very rare, extremely attractive and superbly well-preserved yellow gold automatic wristwatch with center seconds, day, date, burgundy Stella dial, bracelet, Guarantee and box

Circa 1986
36mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and clasp signed

Estimate
CHF15,000 - 25,000 
€13,900-23,200
$16,400-27,300

Sold for CHF43,750

Contact Specialist

Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Watches, Continental Europe and the Middle East

41 79 637 1724
aghotbi@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: XI

Geneva Auction 27 - 28 June 2020