Rolex - The Geneva Watch Auction: XIV Geneva Friday, November 5, 2021 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1963
    Reference No: 1806
    Movement No: DD94814
    Case No: 853'724
    Model Name: Day-Date
    Material: 18K yellow gold
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 1555, 25 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: 18K yellow gold Rolex brick-link bracelet, max length 180mm
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Rolex deployant clasp stamped 1.63
    Dimensions: 36mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex presentation box.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Introduced to the market in 1956, the Day-Date has seen a multitude of watch design variations. It is one of the most varied, unusual and creative models the firm has ever produced, delighting with its myriad of dial, bracelet, bezel and gold-finished designs. The firm has elevated its Day-Date models with materials such as rubellite, blood stone, coral, and even fossil, providing an unusual design twist to the iconic model.

    The present model, reference 1806, is distinguished by its textured linen pattern to the bezel and lugs, playfully dubbed the 'Morellis' finish. The case is extremely sharp and still retains its delicate linen-textured pattern, which is remarkable to see for a watch of its age. To complete the look, the watch is fitted with a patterned brick-link Rolex yellow gold bracelet to match the case design, which was entirely made by hand.

  • 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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238

Ref. 1806
An unusual and very attractive yellow gold calendar wristwatch with center seconds and textured bracelet

Circa 1963
36mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed

Estimate
CHF15,000 - 25,000 
€14,000-23,400
$16,300-27,200

Sold for CHF30,240

Contact Specialist

Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Watches, Continental Europe and the Middle East Director
AGhotbi@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: XIV

Geneva Auction 5 & 7 November 2021