Rolex - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XI Hong Kong Saturday, November 28, 2020 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1985
    Reference No: 18038, inside caseback stamped 18000
    Movement No: 1’240’101
    Case No: 8’986’476
    Model Name: Day-Date
    Material: 18K yellow gold
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 3055, 27 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: 18K yellow gold Rolex Jubilee bracelet, endlinks stamped “55”, max length 190mm
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Rolex concealed folding clasp
    Dimensions: 36mm diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by undated Rolex guarantee stamped Yes Watch Co., LTD., Kowloon.

  • Catalogue Essay

    The present Rolex Day-Date ref. 18038 in 18K yellow gold fitted with a black “onyx” dial, has become a popular vintage in recent times, due to its iconic case with a minimalistic dial design and the absence of indexes and minute hashes. The clean dial layout allows the hardstone to be fully admired, although onyx is an opaque hardstone with a high luster that almost has a similar appearance to lacquer. The gilt text against the glossy black onyx dial is a perfect match giving the present timepiece a distinct and balanced appeal.

    Presented in attractive overall condition and offered in superb value, the present example from circa 1985 is also accompanied by its original Rolex guarantee stamped by a local Hong Kong retailer.

  • 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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1036

Ref. 18038, inside caseback stamped 18000
A rare and attractive yellow gold wristwatch with center seconds, day, date, “onyx” dial, bracelet and guarantee

Circa 1985
36mm diameter
Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed

Estimate
HK$80,000 - 150,000 
€8,600-16,200
$10,300-19,200

Sold for HK$214,200

Contact Specialist

Thomas Perazzi

Head of Watches, Asia
+852 2318 2001

WatchesHK@phillips.com

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XI

Hong Kong Auction 29 November 2020