Rolex - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XII Hong Kong Saturday, June 5, 2021 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1978
    Reference No: 18038
    Movement No: 0150447
    Case No: 5'755'490
    Model Name: Day-Date
    Material: 18K yellow gold
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 3055, 27 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: 18K yellow gold Rolex President bracelet stamped "55" to the endlinks, max length 195mm
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Rolex deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 36mm diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex service guarantee.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Ever glamorous, the Day-Date model delights with its myriad of dial, bracelet, bezel and gold-finished designs. Since its inception in 1956, it remains one of the most surprising and diverse flagship models Rolex has ever produced. Apart from prototype models, the Day-Date has only been cased in precious metals, attesting to its glamour and prestige.

    The present example features an incredibly rare and charismatic blood stone dial that is defined by its forest green hue and subtle copper flecks throughout. The material is in perfect contrast with the warm gold case for a powerful aesthetic result, bolstered by the presence of the gold rims to the day and date window, subtly recalling the gold case.

    While uncommon in any variation, the present bloodstone dial configuration with diamond-set numerals appears to be even more scarce than its no-indexes sibling. In an extremely rare occurrence, the owner of the watch managed, thanks to its extremely good relationship with the House, to have Rolex officially mount the present dial on this watch after its purchase.

  • 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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895

Lot offered with No Reserve

Ref. 18038
A very attractive and rare yellow gold wristwatch with center seconds, day, date, bloodstone dial, diamond-set indexes and bracelet

Circa 1978
36mm diameter
Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed

Estimate
HK$95,000 - 140,000 
€10,100-14,900
$12,200-17,900

Sold for HK$302,400

Contact Specialist

Thomas Perazzi
Head of Watches, Asia
+852 2318 2001
WatchesHK@phillips.com

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XII

Hong Kong Auctions 5-6 June 2021