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

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1970
    Reference No: 1803
    Movement No: DD645’451
    Case No: 2’428’480, repeated inside caseback 1803
    Model Name: Day-Date
    Material: 18K yellow gold
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 1570, 26 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 guarantee stamped Orologeria Eredi Emilio Mariotta Chiasso dated 6th December 1970, punched chronometer attestation, service invoice, service quotation, hang tag, red card holder and fitted presentation box.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Originally intended as Rolex’s “luxury proposition” (and indeed originally available exclusively in precious metal, with few prototypes in steel known), it has evolved to incarnate in the mind of nearly every watch enthusiast the conjunction of power, elegance, precision, luxury, exclusivity and mechanical perfection Rolex is famous for.

    Released in the early 1960s, the ref. 1803 is a true icon of the Day-Date and to most collectors the title still stands today. The present example Rolex Day-Date ref. 1803 in yellow gold from circa 1970 with a 2.4 million serial features a rare and attractive matte black “pie-pan” dial with diamond-set indexes. Equipped with an Italian calendar, the present example originally sold through an Swiss Italian retailer is complete with its original guarantee and attestation. A rare gem to come across, black on yellow never goes wrong.

  • 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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936

Ref. 1803
A fine and attractive yellow gold wristwatch with center seconds, day, date, diamond-set indexes, bracelet, guarantee and presentation box

Circa 1970
36mm diameter
Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed

Estimate
HK$150,000 - 200,000 
€19,100-25,500
$19,200-25,600

Sold for HK$189,000

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