Rolex - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: ONE Hong Kong Monday, November 30, 2015 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: 1939
    Reference No: 912
    Case No: 57'308
    Material: 18k white gold
    Calibre: Mechanical Extra Prima, 17 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather strap
    Clasp/Buckle: 18k white gold Rolex buckle stamped Rolex SA
    Dimensions: 27 mm. wide
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed; case further stamped with Dublin date letter for 1928
    Provenance: Property from An Important Collector
    Literature: For another example of a reference 912, however in two-colour gold, please see The Best of Time Rolex Wristwatches An Unauthorised History by James M. Dowling and Jeffrey P. Hess, page 130.

  • Provenance

    Property from An Important Collector

  • Catalogue Essay

    The Rolex Prince first introduced in the late twenties was fitted with a rectangular case and rectangular movement, placing the winding barrel and balance at the opposite ends of the watch. This present reference 912 takes inspiration from the famous Prince design.

    This present reference 912 is a spectacular example in outstanding and original condition. The case numbers are crisp and easily readable without the aid of a loupe. The flared sides, which is an unusual feature, are still very crisp and the two-tone sector dial is mesmerizing. For a watch that is close to a hundred years old, to have retained so many original features, is extremely rare indeed.

  • 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. 912
An exceptional and very rare white gold square wristwatch with two-tone sector dial and flared sides

1939
27 mm. wide
Case, dial and movement signed; case further stamped with Dublin date letter for 1928

Estimate
HK$80,000 - 120,000 

Sold for HK$350,000

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