Rolex - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: ONE Hong Kong Monday, November 30, 2015 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1911
    Case No: 267'971
    Material: Silver
    Calibre: Mechanical, 15 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Black leather strap
    Dimensions: 35.5 mm. diameter
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed, case further signed Dennison Watch Case Co. with London London import hallmark

  • Catalogue Essay

    This early Rolex is a charming watch in very well preserved condition. Prior to Rolex manufacturing their Oyster cases, there were other case makers manufacturing for them such as a British company, Dennison, whom Rolex worked with as early as 1915. Dennison specialized in making threaded front and back cases such as the present example. This Dennison case is reminiscent of an Oyster case, which enabled fingers to tighten the case with more precision due to the threaded edges.

  • 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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Lot offered with No Reserve

An early silver wristwatch with enamel dial

Circa 1911
35.5 mm. diameter
Case, dial and movement signed, case further signed Dennison Watch Case Co. with London London import hallmark

Estimate
HK$24,000 - 40,000 

Sold for HK$60,000

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