Rolex - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: TWO Hong Kong Monday, May 30, 2016 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: 1968
    Reference No: 1600, inside case back stamped 1601
    Movement No: D575286
    Case No: 1'694'930
    Model Name: DateJust
    Material: 18k yellow gold, agate hardstone
    Calibre: Automatic, 1570, 26 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: 18k yellow gold Rolex Oyster bracelet, 168 mm. maximum length, end link stamped 76
    Clasp/Buckle: 18k yellow gold Rolex folding deployant clasp stamped Rolex 4.67
    Dimensions: 36 mm. diameter
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed

  • Catalogue Essay

    Rolex is particularly skilled at using hardstone, which is notoriously difficult to handle as it is very delicate and easy to break. The present watch is fitted with a red agata hardstone dial, which showcases a stunning red tone that almost appears translucent in places. The dial of this DateJust is elegantly minimal as to highlight the beauty of the hardstone. Preserved in very original condition, the watch still retains factory finishes to the top of the lugs. The bracelet, which is stamped for the fourth quarter of 1967 is from the same period and may be original to the watch.

  • 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. 1600, inside case back stamped 1601
A fine and rare yellow gold wristwatch with sweep centre seconds, date, agata hardstone dial and bracelet

1968
36 mm. diameter
Case, dial and movement signed

Estimate
HK$100,000 - 150,000 

Sold for HK$212,500

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: TWO

Hong Kong Auction 31 May 2016