Rolex - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XIII Hong Kong Thursday, November 25, 2021 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1985
    Reference No: 16018
    Movement No: 1’417’482
    Case No: 8’826’218
    Model Name: Datejust
    Material: 18K yellow gold
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 3035, 27 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: Gold plated Rolex pin buckle
    Dimensions: 36mm diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex guarantee stamped Alhambra Watch Co. LTD Kowloon dated 24th March 1986, green wallet and hangtag.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Since the launch of the Rolex Datejust in 1945, the date only model is one of the brand’s most recognizable winning card. Amongst the myriad of designs available, hard stone dials are certainly a favourite by collectors. Rolex in particular excels in using hard stone. The manufacture has elevated its dress watches with materials such as rubellite, blood stone, coral, and even fossil, providing an unusual design twist to classic models.

    Due to the naturally occurring calcite and pyrite deposits inherent in Lapis Lazuli, each dial creation is truly unique in appearance. The present ref. 16018 features the remarkable lapis lazuli dial with richness of Yves Klein blue and sparkles of gold flecks throughout the entire dial. Encased in warm 18K yellow gold case with an attractive patina, the present example boast a strong case with defined edges, the hallmarks remains crisp and deep. Furthermore, the original factory sticker remains intact on the caseback.

  • 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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897

Ref. 16018
A rare and very well-preserved yellow gold wristwatch with center seconds, date, lapis lazuli dial and guarantee

Circa 1985
36mm diameter
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

Estimate
HK$95,000 - 180,000 
€10,500-20,000
$12,200-23,100

Sold for HK$277,200

Contact Specialist

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

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XIII

Hong Kong Auctions 25-26 November 2021