Rolex - The Geneva Watch Auction: XII Geneva Saturday, November 7, 2020 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1977
    Reference No: 1611
    Movement No: D'042'387
    Case No: 5'106'807
    Model Name: Datejust
    Material: 18K yellow gold and obsidian
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 1570, 26 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: Gilt pin buckle
    Dimensions: 36.5mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed

  • Catalogue Essay

    Launched in 1945, the Rolex Datejust is one of the most iconic models ever created. Its fluted bezel is instantly recognizable upon a glance, and is still deeply ingrained in the DNA of modern Rolex watches today.

    Rolex in particular excels in using hard stone. The manufacture has elevated its dress watches with materials such as rubellite, blood stone, coral, and even fossil, providing an unusual design twist to classic models.

    This exceedingly fascinating Datejust is fitted with a highly unusual Obsidian dial, with a wavy light brown pattern on the left of the dial. Furthermore, the dial changes tone pending on the angle of light, giving it an incredibly three-dimensional appearance. Equally interesting is the yellow gold case with textured bezel, known as a Florentine finish. Already rare, this reference is further enhanced by its beautiful and uncommon dial.

  • 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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165

Ref. 1611
A highly rare and attractive yellow gold wristwatch with center seconds, date and obsidian dial

Circa 1977
36.5mm Diameter
Case, dial and movement signed

Estimate
CHF16,000 - 32,000 
€14,800-29,700
$17,400-34,900

Sold for CHF27,720

Contact Specialist

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

41 79 637 1724
aghotbi@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: XII

Geneva Auction 6 - 7 November 2020