Rolex - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XIV Hong Kong Friday, May 27, 2022 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1984
    Reference No: 18038
    Movement No: 0'887'234
    Case No: 8’421’890; inside caseback 18000
    Model Name: Day-Date
    Material: 18K yellow gold and baguette-cut diamonds
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 3055, 27 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: 18K yellow gold Rolex Oyster bracelet, endlinks stamped “55”, max length 170mm
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Rolex Oyster deployant clasp stamped “8395”
    Dimensions: 36mm diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed

  • Catalogue Essay

    The Rolex “Stella” Day-Date is one that is admired by many due to its fruitful offering of vibrant dial colors and its unique glossy luster. These vivacious glossy lacquered dial-fitted Day-Date’s are among one of the most collectable vintage Rolex timepieces today. From a lustrous turquoise blue to a bright pastel pink, it was the first time in the history of the firm that such whimsical, spirited array of dial colors were introduced in a wristwatch.

    Introduced in the exciting period of the 1970s and produced for roughly a decade, these colorful lacquered dials were manufactured by a company called Stella, based in Châtelaine and Geneva, the firm supplied Rolex’s dial makers at the period with special types of lacquer that resulted in the name it proudly deserves. The present example ref. 18038 features a rich and desirable burgundy Stella dial. While some Day-Dates feature diamond-set hour markers to elevate its luxurious appeal, to have a dial set with baguette-cut diamonds only is of uber rare occurrence. Contrasted beautifully against a yellow gold case that have gained an attractive patina near the crown, the timepiece retains its superb strong case with original factory finishing, hallmarks behind the lugs are crisp and deep, the luminous plots have aged beautifully and evenly into a warm yellow that matches perfectly with the yellow gold case. Bearing a 8.42m case serial, the present Stella dates back to 1984, rare and sought after the “Stella” Day-Date adorned with baguette-cut diamond-set indexes is an exceptional specimen form the 80s.

  • 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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935

Ref. 18038
A rare, fine and attractive yellow gold wristwatch with center seconds, day, date, burgundy “Stella” dial, baguette-cut diamond-set indexes and bracelet

Circa 1984
36mm diameter
Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed

Estimate
HK$155,000 - 235,000 
€19,700-29,900
$19,900-30,100

Sold for HK$441,000

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