Rolex - The Geneva Watch Auction: XVIII Geneva Friday, November 3, 2023 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1980
    Reference No: 18078
    Movement No: 0'805'012
    Case No: 6'267'067
    Model Name: Day-Date "Khanjar"
    Material: 18K yellow gold
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 3055, 27 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: 18K yellow gold Rolex President bark-finished bracelet, max length 195mm
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Rolex concealed folding clasp
    Dimensions: 36mm diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed
    Literature: The present watch is illustrated in Day-Date The Presidential Rolex by Pucci Papaleo Editore, pages 286-287.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Admittedly one of the most iconic Rolex models, the Day-Date was a phenomenal breakthrough for Rolex when it was first released in the 1956. Showcasing day and date indications at 12 and 3 o’clock, it was the very first first self-winding chronometer wristwatch with a waterproof case. Visible on the wrists of the most prominent and influential men of the last century, the Rolex Day-Date was made only available in precious metals, including yellow, rose and white gold, as well as platinum.

    The present Day-Date is an outstanding model for a number of reasons. Cased in 18K yellow gold it features a "bark-finish" bezel with the same finishing present on the center links of its Jubilee Bracelet. Most notably, the watch is fitted with a "Khanjar" dial, featuring the Khanjar symbol, a part of the national emblem of Oman. Watches fitted with "Khanjar" dials were made on special request from His Majesty Qaboos bin Said Al Said, the Sultan of Oman. Furthermore, the day and date disk are in Arabic, perfectly matching with the provenance of the timepiece. The caseback is furthermore engraved with the Omani Khanjar in red lacquer.

    Boasting an impressive case, such rare and historically interesting timepiece hardly appear on the market, making the present example a unique opportunity to acquire a glamorous and historically relevant timepiece.

    The present watch is furthermore illustrated in Day-Date The Presidential Rolex by Pucci Papaleo Editore, pages 286-287.

  • 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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Ref. 18078
A very fine, well-preserved and rare yellow gold wristwatch with center seconds, day, date, "Khanjar" dial and bracelet, made for the Sultanate of Oman

Circa 1980
36mm diameter
Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed

Estimate
CHF18,000 - 36,000 
€18,700-37,400
$19,800-39,600

Sold for CHF53,340

Contact Specialist

Alexandre Ghotbi
Deputy Chairman, Watches, Head of Watches, Europe, and Middle East

+41 79 637 17 24
AGhotbi@phillips.com

Tiffany To
Head of Sale, Geneva

+41 79 460 55 88
TiffanyTo@phillips.com

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The Geneva Watch Auction: XVIII

Geneva Auction 3 - 4 November 2023