Rolex - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: TWO Hong Kong Monday, May 30, 2016 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: 1975
    Reference No: 1601
    Movement No: D668728
    Case No: 3'849'909
    Model Name: DateJust
    Material: 18k pink gold
    Calibre: Automatic, 1570, 26 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Black leather strap
    Clasp/Buckle: 18k pink gold Rolex buckle
    Dimensions: 36 mm. diameter
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed
    Accessories: With Rolex service receipt dated 3 June 2015.
    Literature: For a pink gold DateJust reference 1601, please see The Best of Time Rolex Wristwatches An Unauthorized History by James M. Dowling and Jeffrey P. Hess, page 237.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Starting from its launch in 1945, the DateJust has had a long history and enjoyed enormous popularity. The present example, cased in pink gold, is a lovely classic preserved in excellent overall condition with very crisp case numbers in between the lugs and very sharp hallmarks.

  • 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.

    View More Works

199

Ref. 1601
A fine and rare pink gold wristwatch with sweep centre seconds and date

1975
36 mm. diameter
Case, dial and movement signed

Estimate
HK$60,000 - 80,000 

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: TWO

Hong Kong Auction 31 May 2016