Manufacturer: Rolex Year: Circa 2000 Reference No: 118296 Movement No: 8’455’115 Case No: P’194’772 Model Name: Day-Date Material: Platinum Calibre: Automatic, 3155, 31 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Platinum Rolex President bracelet, max length 190mm Clasp/Buckle: Platinum Rolex concealed folding clasp Dimensions: 36mm diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex guarantee stamped Kaimana Kea USA and dated 19th January 2002, leather card holder, instruction manual, product literature, Rolex leather notepad cover with notepad and pen, two additional notepads, fitted presentation box and outer packaging.
Catalogue Essay
Synonymous with sophistication, precision and timelessness, the Day-Date was truly a game-changer upon its debut in the 1950s. Since then, the model has come to fruition with various upgrades it has undergone over its generations, whilst maintaining its flare by an array of colours, material and design it has to offer.
Framed in the king of all metals, this platinum ref, 118296 is tastefully adorned in brilliant cut diamonds, from its lugs to its dial. A rare bird in the family of Day-Dates, it is fitted with a smooth bezel which encircles a rare silvered sunburst dial that is further charmed with diamond-set indexes. Offered in excellent overall condition, the present example boasts an unpolished case with sharp and crisp edges and is accompanied by its original accessories. For collectors who appreciate a subtle bit of bling combined with timeless design and rarity, this is certainly an outstanding addition to any collection of fine Day-Dates.
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.
Ref. 118296 A very fine and rare platinum and diamond-set wristwatch with center seconds, day, date, silvered sunburst dial, diamond-set indexes, bracelet, guarantee and presentation box
Circa 2000 36mm diameter Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed