Rolex - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XVI Hong Kong Wednesday, May 24, 2023 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1995
    Reference No: 18368
    Movement No: 7’409’626
    Case No: W’363’658, inside caseback stamped “18200”
    Model Name: Day-Date
    Material: 18K yellow gold
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 3155, 31 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: 18K yellow gold Rolex President bracelet, max length 195mm
    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 Bucherer Switzerland and dated April 1999, instruction manual, product literature, 1994 – 1995 calendar, leather card holder, Rolex Japan service guarantee, plastic service pocket, fitted presentation box and outer packaging.

  • Catalogue Essay

    The Rolex Day-Date dates back almost seven decades when it was first released in 1956 and remains one of the backbones of the firm today. It sets itself apart from the Submariner, GMT-Master and Daytona as the brand’s most sophisticated, elegant wristwatch and has graced the wrists of great influencers regarding important historical figures. The design and aesthetics have evolved to adapt to the updated preferences of collectors over the years.

    This classic was the first to display a full-day aperture at 12 o’clock and a date window at 3 o’clock. Instantly recognised as the “President”, the semi-circular link bracelet arguably is as iconic as the watch itself. In 1959, the original references 6510 and 6511 were substituted by the famed ref. 1803 with a sporty 36mm diameter case and a fluted bezel, offered in precious metals. Rolex then introduced a new generation in 1977, powered by the cal. 3055 with a quickset date function. The movement was once again upgraded in 1988 with the cal. 3155, which ultimately powers the present timepiece, and allows the foolproof quickset of both the date and day. At the turn of the millennium, the 118 thousand series was developed, allowing Rolex to give the model different personalities through playing with an array of dial variants.

    Originally sold by the famed Swiss-based jeweller, Bucherer, the present Day-Date is a charismatic yellow gold ref. 18368 boasts a dark and handsome Onyx hard-stone dial, topped with a blinding gem-set bezel with 24 baguette diamonds. The contrast between the warm-toned case and the cool-toned dial depicts a powerful aesthetic further enhanced by minimal graphics.

    Offered in excellent overall condition, the present Day-Date is a timepiece with a panache and is ideal for everyday wear.

  • 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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878

Ref. 18368
A very fine, rare and attractive yellow gold wristwatch with center seconds, day, date, onyx dial, baguette diamond-set bezel, bracelet, guarantee and presentation box

Circa 1995
36mm diameter
Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed

Estimate
HK$400,000 - 630,000 
€46,200-72,800
$51,300-80,800

Sold for HK$812,800

Contact Specialist

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

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XVI

Hong Kong Auction 24 - 25 May 2023