Rolex - Geneva Watch Auction: TWO Geneva Saturday, November 7, 2015 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: 1987
    Reference No: 18138, caseback stamped 18000
    Movement No: 1'781'597
    Case No: 9'865'106
    Model Name: Day-Date
    Material: 18k yellow gold
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 3055, 27 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: 18k yellow gold Rolex President, max. length 200 mm, end links stamped 55
    Clasp/Buckle: 18k gold concealed deployant clasp, stamped 8385
    Dimensions: 36 mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed
    Accessories: With service guarantee card

  • Catalogue Essay

    Since its first appearance at Basel in 1956, the Rolex Day-Date has always been automatic, water- and shock resistant, with indications not only for the hours, minutes and seconds, but also apertures for the day and date.

    Roughly 60 years later, the timeless design of the Rolex Day-Date is still extremely desirable and popular amongst collectors. The present example from 1987 is embellished with a diamond and sapphire dial, with the Rolex and Day Date inscriptions found on raised, applied gold plaques. The bezel and lugs are fitted with round cut diamonds, however the bezel features a Rolex plaque near 6 o’clock, not often seen, adding to the rarity of this piece.

    The Rolex President bracelet and the case are extremely well preserved with deep hallmark stampings on the back of the lugs. Additionally, the watch comes accompanied by the Rolex service guarantee card dating 12/16/2012.

  • 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. 18138, caseback stamped 18000
A very attractive and impressive yellow gold calendar wristwatch with centre seconds, diamond and sapphire-set dial, diamond-set bezel and lugs and bracelet

1987
36 mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed

Estimate
CHF25,000 - 35,000 

Sold for CHF30,000

Contact Specialist
Nathalie Monbaron
+41 22 317 81 83

Geneva Watch Auction: TWO

Geneva Auction 7 & 8 November 2015 6:30pm