Rolex - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: SIX Hong Kong Monday, May 28, 2018 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1995
    Reference No: 18238, case back stamped "18200" to the inside
    Case No: W845646
    Model Name: Day-Date
    Material: 18K yellow gold
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 3155, 31 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: 18K yellow gold Rolex President bracelet stamped "55 B" to the endlinks, maximum length 200mm
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Rolex concealed deployant clasp stamped "8385"
    Dimensions: 35mm diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and clasp signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex Warranty stamped by USA retailer Reeds Jewelers dated October 16, 1999 and bearing mention of the "Lapis Arabic 2 Brill" dial, product literature, green wallet, fitted presentation box and outer packaging

  • Catalogue Essay

    The present example of reference 18238 is one of the most rare and unusual iterations of the model. The presence of the ineffable lapis dial would already be enough to make the present piece more than coveted, but it furthermore features extremely unusual indexes: Arabic numerals at 6 and 9 each set with a brilliant-cut diamond. This reference is known with a numbers of dial configuration, with baton indexes on silvered dial appearing to be one of the - if not the - most common. Other dial examples are diamond-set baton indexes and radial Roman numerals, and the dial itself is known as standard silvered, marble, wood, coral… The present configuration, however, is without a doubt one of the most difficult to come by. The rarity and exceptionality of this dial are furthermore highlighted by the mention of the exact style on the original Warranty, confirming its factory origin. Last, but not least, not only this is a highly collectible and attractive timepiece, but it is furthermore offered in excellent condition - still bearing the green Rolex sticker to the back - and complete of its original box and papers.

  • 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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1022

Ref. 18238, case back stamped "18200" to the inside
A fine, very rare, unusual and very attractive yellow gold automatic wristwatch with center seconds, day, date, lapis lazuli dial, diamond-set Arabic numerals, bracelet

Circa 1995
35mm diameter
Case, dial, movement and clasp signed

Estimate
HK$120,000 - 160,000 
€13,200-17,600
$15,400-20,500

Sold for HK$237,500

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: SIX

Hong Kong Auction 29 May 2018