Rolex - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: ONE Hong Kong Monday, November 30, 2015 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: 1960
    Reference No: 1804
    Movement No: DD97198
    Case No: 741'102
    Model Name: Day-Date
    Material: Platinum and diamonds
    Calibre: Automatic, 1555, 25 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Platinum Rolex President bracelet, 195 mm. maximum length
    Clasp/Buckle: Platinum Rolex folding deployant clasp stamped Rolex SA 2.62
    Dimensions: 36 mm. diameter
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed
    Literature: For another Day-Date with a black gloss "Swiss" dial, please see Day-Date, The Presidential Rolex by Pucci Papaleo, page 118 and 119.

  • Catalogue Essay

    This platinum and diamond 1804 Day-Date has many striking and unusual features, the first is the black gloss "Swiss" dial with silver graphics and diamond-set indexes. The dial is further signed "M.Kubo" in an extremely distinctive script. The way in which "Kubo" has been signed is almost identical to the Japanese bespoke tailoring service. The platinum President bracelet is original to the watch and stamped 2.62.

    Without a doubt, this superb platinum Day-Date manufactured in the early 1960s creates an emotional impact which prevails over the technical aspects of merely telling the time. It is quite literally in spellbinding condition throughout. The case is sharp, retaining hallmarks and factory finishes. The bracelet being almost 60 years old is breathtaking and the "Swiss" black gloss dial is in enchanting condition.

    The most exclusive of all Rolex dials are those finished in black lacquer and with diamond-set numerals. To find a platinum 1804 in this condition and fitted with the most exclusive of dials, we are extremely honoured to have this watch in our first Hong Kong sale.

  • 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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177

Ref. 1804
An extremely rare and highly important platinum and diamond-set calendar wristwatch with sweep centre seconds, black gloss "swiss" dial and original bracelet

1960
36 mm. diameter
Case, dial and movement signed

Estimate
HK$450,000 - 600,000 

Sold for HK$887,500

Contact Specialist

Thomas Perazzi
Head of Watches, Asia
+852 2318 2001
thomasperazzi@phillips.com

Ziyong Ho
Specialist
+852 9386 2032
ziyongho@phillips.com

Jill Chen
Specialist
+852 2318 2033
jillchen@phillips.com

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: ONE

Hong Kong Auction 1 December 2015 11am