Rolex - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: TWO Hong Kong Monday, May 30, 2016 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: 1964
    Reference No: 1601
    Movement No: 56778D
    Case No: 1'053'979
    Model Name: DateJust
    Material: 18k white gold
    Calibre: Automatic, 1560, 26 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Black leather strap
    Clasp/Buckle: 18k white gold Rolex buckle
    Dimensions: 36 mm. diameter
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed
    Accessories: With Rolex Bureaux Suisses de Contrôle Officiel de la Marche des Chronometres Watch Rate Certificate dated 18 November 1964, service receipts dated 20 February 1969 and 27 October 1981 and wallet.
    Literature: For another example of a white gold reference 1601 however with Jubilee bracelet, please see 100 Superlative Rolex Watches by John Goldberger, page 161.

  • Catalogue Essay

    The present example, cased in white gold, has always been the rarest metal among the DateJust family. Preserved in excellent and original condition, the present watch is fitted with a very charismatic dial. The case still retains its original proportion, fluted bezel is still very crisp. The hallmarks are as sharp as they should be. It is rare to find a white gold DateJust in such condition but rarest still, for the watch to include its original paperwork.

  • 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. 1601
A fine and rare white gold wristwatch with sweep centre seconds, date, watch rate certificate and service receipts

1964
36 mm. diameter
Case, dial and movement signed

Estimate
HK$120,000 - 180,000 

Sold for HK$150,000

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