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

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: 1979
    Reference No: 16008
    Movement No: 0'259'873
    Case No: 5'832'918
    Model Name: DateJust
    Material: 18k yellow gold and obsidian hardstone
    Calibre: Automatic, 3035, 27 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: 18k yellow gold Rolex Oyster bracelet, 190 mm. maximum length, end link stamped 76B
    Clasp/Buckle: 18k yellow gold Rolex folding deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 36 mm. diameter
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed

  • Catalogue Essay

    Rolex incorporated a variety of hardstones in their dials to add colour and beauty to their portfolio. The present DateJust is a rare variant because it is fitted with an eye-catching obsidian dial, which is a natural occurring volcanic glass. The dial is enhanced with gold graphics and gold frame around the date aperture, perfectly matching the great natural shine of obsidian hard stone. Obsidian presents a different appearance depending on how the stone is cut and polished, making each watch dial a unique creation. Presented in extremely well preserved condition, the present watch is an attractive example of a reference 16008 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. 16008
A very fine and very rare yellow gold wristwatch with sweep centre seconds, date, obsidian hardstone dial and bracelet

1979
36 mm. diameter
Case, dial and movement signed

Estimate
HK$120,000 - 180,000 

Sold for HK$275,000

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: TWO

Hong Kong Auction 31 May 2016