Manufacturer: Rolex Year: Circa 2001 Reference No: 118209 Case No: K219230 Model Name: Day-Date Material: 18K white gold Calibre: Automatic, cal. 3155, 31 jewels Bracelet/Strap: 18K white gold Rolex bracelet, max length 185mm Clasp/Buckle: 18K white gold Rolex deployant clasp Dimensions: 36mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex guarantee dated March 04, 2004, numbered hang tag, product literature, wallet, presentation box and outer packaging.
Catalogue Essay
This superb white gold Day-Date is fitted with an incredibly attractive and very rare meteorite dial with diamond-set numerals. The textured effect of the meteorite adds flair, movement and intrigue to the dial layout, and furthermore provides a perfect canvas for the diamond-set numerals to shine on. The calendar windows are framed in white metal.
Naturally found materials are among the most attractive and collectible dials to have ever found their way into the Day-Date line. Beyond the present meteorite, other stones have been employed by Rolex: onyx, malachite, marble, agate and jade are just some examples of this remarkable diversity.
The present watch is rendered even more collectible due to the presence of its original accessories such as its Rolex guarantee dated March 04, 2004, product literature, wallet, presentation box and outer packaging.
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.
Ref. 118209 A highly rare and attractive white gold and diamond-set calendar wristwatch with center seconds, meteorite dial, bracelet, hang tag, guarantee and presentation box
Circa 2001 36mm Diameter Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed