Rolex - The Geneva Watch Auction: EIGHT Geneva Saturday, November 10, 2018 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1977
    Reference No: 1804, further stamped 1803 inside the caseback
    Movement No: DD'700'075
    Case No: 5'003'431
    Model Name: Day-Date "Khanjar"
    Material: 18K yellow gold and diamonds
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 1556, 26 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: 18K yellow gold Rolex President bracelet, endlinks stamped 53, max length 190mm
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Rolex folding clasp
    Dimensions: 36mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed

  • Catalogue Essay

    Rolex introduced the Day-Date model in 1956 as the first self-winding chronometer watch featuring a date and fully spelled out day. It was not until 1963 that the references 1803 and 1804 were introduced with upgraded movements, and while similar in looks, the reference 1804 was certainly the most glamourous of the two, as it had a diamond-set bezel and diamond-set numerals. Today, the Day-Date is one of the most popular and most wearable watches available with calendars made in a variety of languages to accommodate people around the world.
    As the most versatile of all Rolexes, the model exists in thousands of configurations. The present Day-Date was a special order from his Majesty Qaboos bin Said al Said. An avid watch collector himself, the Sultan of Oman commissioned Rolex in the early 1970s and asked the company to present him with watches adorned by his emblem so he could gift them to people he wanted to reward with an important and personal present. These watches were therefore never available to the public and were a distinction that only a few could enjoy. In well-preserved condition, this watch, from 1977, displays the red Omani “Khanjar” and a superb diamond-set bezel that perfectly complements the yellow gold dial with round-cut and baguette-cut diamond numerals. Today, the Day-Date holds a special place in almost every watch collection and is rightfully called an icon. “Khanjar” Day-Dates are the rarest and most unusual and are sure to attract the most discerning collectors.

  • 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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Ο189

Ref. 1804, further stamped 1803 inside the caseback
A very rare yellow gold calendar wristwatch with diamonds bezel and hour markers, bracelet made for the Sultanate of Oman

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

Estimate
CHF15,000 - 25,000 
€13,200-22,000
$15,400-25,600

Sold for CHF20,000

Contact Specialist
Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Sale
+41 22 317 81 89
aghotbi@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: EIGHT

Geneva Auction 10-11 November 2018