Rolex - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: TWO Hong Kong Monday, May 30, 2016 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: 1961
    Reference No: 1600, inside case back stamped 1601
    Movement No: 73'383
    Case No: 713'749
    Model Name: DateJust
    Material: 18k yellow gold
    Calibre: Automatic, 1560, 25 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: 18k yellow gold Rolex Oyster bracelet, 180 mm. maximum length
    Clasp/Buckle: 18k yellow gold Rolex folding deployant clasp stamped 4.69
    Dimensions: 36 mm. diameter
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed
    Literature: For another example of a reference 1600 DateJust, please see Rolex Collecting Vintage Wristwatches by Osvaldo Patrizzi, pages 298 and 299.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Reference 1600 DateJust was in production from 1960 to 1976 and was made in various metals including stainless steel, gold and steel and gold. The present watch is fitted with an attractive black lacquer dial. The dial is further enhanced with gold baton numerals and gold graphics, perfectly matching the yellow gold case. The present example, in very well preserved condition, is an appealing example of a classic DateJust.

  • 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, black lacquer dial and bracelet

1961
36 mm. diameter
Case, dial and movement signed

Estimate
HK$100,000 - 150,000 

Sold for HK$162,500

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