Rolex - Geneva Watch Auction: FOUR Geneva Friday, November 11, 2016 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: 1971
    Reference No: 1680
    Movement No: D901'909
    Case No: 2'817'911
    Model Name: Submariner
    Material: 18k yellow gold
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 1570, 26 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: 18k yellow gold Rolex President, max length 200mm.
    Clasp/Buckle: Folding deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 39mm. Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed

  • Catalogue Essay

    Launched officially in 1966, the reference 1680 was the first of the Rolex Submariner family to include the date. Reference 1680 was also Rolex's first Submariner, and consequently its first diving watch, to be encased in gold, which is roughly 10 years before the gold Royal Oak and gold Nautilus. Most commonly seen in steel, the present reference 1680 is housed in a solid yellow gold case giving it luxurious heft. Complemented with Rolex’s exquisite President bracelet, the watch exudes a certain old world cachet. The untouched and pristine dial is accented with raised, round and rectangular-shaped yellow gold applied luminous hour markers. Made in 1971, the present lot is in overall excellent condition, with its distinctive look and distinguished bracelet, it’s a great choice for the Rolex collector looking for an elegant sports watch.

  • 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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161

Ref. 1680
A fine and attractive yellow gold diving wristwatch with date, center seconds and bracelet

1971
39mm. Diameter
Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed

Estimate
CHF10,000 - 15,000 
€9,200-13,800
$10,300-15,500

Sold for CHF21,250

Contact Specialist
Alexandre Ghotbi
+41 22 317 81 89

Geneva Watch Auction: FOUR

Geneva Auctions 12 – 13 November 2016