Rolex - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XIV Hong Kong Friday, May 27, 2022 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1997
    Reference No: 18238
    Movement No: 7’463’759
    Case No: T452’518, inside caseback stamped 18200
    Model Name: Day-Date
    Material: 18K yellow gold, diamonds and emeralds
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 3155, 31 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: 18K yellow gold Rolex President bracelet, max length 185mm
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Rolex concealed folding clasp
    Dimensions: 36mm diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex Japan guarantee stamped by Japanese retailer dated 14th April 1999, instruction manual, product literature, cloth, green card holder, note pad, outer packaging and fitted presentation box.

  • Catalogue Essay

    A true interpretation of ultimate luxury and timeless design, the Rolex Day-Date packed with its important heritage is one of the most interesting and diverse Rolex timepieces ever made. Produced mainly in precious metal, the Day-Date has been the model of choice for Rolex’s many innovative dial materials such as gem-set and hardstone dials.

    The present Rolex Day-Date ref. 18238 belongs to the bedazzled era of the 1990s, when gem-set pieces were a major trend. Cased in its classic yellow gold case with its iconic fluted bezel it features a beautiful and bedazzled pave diamond-set dial with vibrant emerald-set indexes. Quintessentially Day-Date, the luxurious combination is a true essence of the model where more and more collectors today are starting to appreciate them once again.

    The present example from circa 1997 is offered in excellent overall condition boasting a crisp case and a flawless dial is complete with its full set of accessories. A true gem in the lineage of Rolex Day-Date models.

  • 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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1094

Ref. 18238
A very fine and exquisite yellow gold wristwatch with center seconds, day, date, pave diamond-set dial with emerald-set indexes, bracelet, guarantee and presentation box

Circa 1997
36mm diameter
Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed

Estimate
HK$360,000 - 500,000 
€45,900-63,700
$46,200-64,100

Sold for HK$655,200

Contact Specialist

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

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XIV

Hong Kong Auction 27 - 28 May 2022