Rolex - The Geneva Watch Auction: XVI Geneva Saturday, November 5, 2022 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 2000
    Reference No: 118206
    Movement No: 38'585'635
    Case No: P'197'930, inside caseback stamped 2096
    Model Name: Day-Date
    Material: Platinum and sapphires
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 3155, 31 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Platinum Rolex president bracelet, endlinks stamped "AB" and "83856", max length 185mm
    Clasp/Buckle: Platinum concealed Rolex deployant clasp stamped "83856"
    Dimensions: 36mm diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex guarantee stamped by Harrods and dated September 11, 2002, original Harrods receipt calendar card for the years 2001/2002, sale tag, hang tag, product literature, green card holder, green leather wallet, green leather fitted presentation box and outer packaging

  • Catalogue Essay

    The present attractive and elegant Rolex Day-Date reference 118206 perfectly encapsulates the prestige and transcendence of Rolex timepieces. Cased in platinum, considered to be among the finest and most prestigious of metals, the timepiece retains the unmistakable essence and characteristics of the Day-Date models, that being the two apertures at 12 and 3 o'clock for the day and date respectively. Since its introduction in 1956, the Day-Date has been one of the most unique and varied flagship model Rolex has ever manufactured and most notably has only ever been cased in precious metals, except from prototype models, demonstrating its glamor and status.

    At 36mm, the watch sits comfortably and fashionably on the wrist. Already from first sight one can truly realize the grandeur of the timepiece, as at the 9 and 6 o'clock hour markers we can find two vibrant and enticing sapphires set on the dial. Extremely seductive, like deep blue eyes, the precious encased gemstones further enhance the elegance and refinement of the present timepiece. Upon even closer inspection, placed on the dagger looking indexes one can notice a very thin darker black line applied replacing any luminous material, adding to the exoticness of the timepiece a touch of darker color contrasting with the silver tone of the case and dial.

    Distinguished by its platinum case and preserved in excellent and unpolished condition with the sticker still present, this timepiece is certain to delight collectors with its presence and dashing dark blue sapphire-set indexes. Subtle and tasteful, this reference 118206 is certainly a beautiful and visually arresting example that true Day-Date collectors should not miss. Complete with its full set of accessories this is a highly desirable piece to add to a discerned collection.

  • 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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This Lot is Offered at No Reserve

191

Lot offered with No Reserve

Ref. 118206
A rare, very fine and elegant platinum wristwatch with center seconds, hack feature, day, date, sapphire-set indexes, bracelet, sticker, guarantee and fitted presentation box

Circa 2000
36mm diameter
Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed

Estimate
CHF15,000 - 25,000 
€15,400-25,700
$15,000-25,000

Sold for CHF63,000

Contact Specialist

Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Watches, Continental Europe and the Middle East
+41 22 317 81 81
AGhotbi@phillips.com
 

Tiffany To
Head of Sale, Geneva
+41 22 317 96 63
TiffanyTo@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: XVI

Geneva Auction 5 - 6 November 2022