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

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1978
    Reference No: 18038
    Movement No: 0’103’606
    Case No: 5’600’141, inside caseback stamped 18000
    Model Name: Day-Date
    Material: 18K yellow gold
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 3055, 27 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: Gilt Rolex pin buckle
    Dimensions: 36mm diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

  • Catalogue Essay

    The Rolex Day-Date was first introduced in 1956 and was the firm’s first wristwatch to indicate both the day and date through apertures on the dial. Regarded as one of the most iconic models by Rolex, the Day-Date has earned its nickname the President’s watch due to it being famously worn by head of states including the likes of Eisenhower.

    The ref. 18038 was released by Rolex in 1977 and featured a new caliber 3055. Essentially bearing similar aesthetics to its ancestral models, it featured a practical single quickset mechanism for adjusting the date. Dressed in 18K yellow gold with a dial to match it, the present example belongs to a small batch of the reference made exclusively for the U.A.E. Armed Forces stamped with its emblem on the dial.

  • 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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890

Ref. 18038
A fine and rare yellow gold wristwatch with center seconds, day and date, made for the U.A.E. Armed Forces

Circa 1978
36mm diameter
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

Estimate
HK$135,000 - 250,000 
€17,200-31,900
$17,300-32,100

Sold for HK$151,200

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