Rolex - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XV Hong Kong Monday, November 28, 2022 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 2005
    Reference No: 3612
    Case No: D781’755
    Model Name: Cellini
    Material: 18K yellow gold
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 651, 18 jewels
    Dimensions: 34.5mm diameter
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed

  • Catalogue Essay

    Delicate and divine, coin watches were highly coveted among the upper crust of society at the turn of the 20th century. A studied art form, the technique to place an ultra-thin movement hinged between two halves of a coin was developed by the salesman-turned-watchmaker, Joseph Vergely, who made his name at Cartier for exhibiting a special talent in moulding watches into charming novelty forms. This complex watchmaking process requires rigorous skills beyond the expertise normally needed of a case maker. Names such as Cartier, Patek Philippe, Piaget, Audemars Piguet, and Rolex are among the most prominent makers of coin watches.

    Although Rolex is most recognised for its robust sports watches, its catalogue is incredibly varied, and even includes a small collection of coin watches that are very rare and hardly ever appear on the market. The present ref. 3612 is a dainty timepiece, encased in a yellow gold twenty US dollar coin from 1900. The present example truly encapsulates the essence of the Rolex Cellini line with no intricate detail left unattended. Featuring a seamless button that reveals its dial with a single touch, the walls concealed within the watch are manually decorated with perlage finishes. Devoted to Benvenuto Cellini, a master goldsmith of the 16th century, the Cellini collection very much takes after his dedication to methods of engraving, casting metal and perfecting even the most minute details.

    Offered in excellent overall condition, this is a rare collectable that will be a fantastic addition for both watches and coins collcetors.

  • 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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1019

Ref. 3612
A fine and unusual yellow gold twenty-dollar coin watch with Roman numerals

Circa 2005
34.5mm diameter
Case, dial and movement signed

Estimate
HK$120,000 - 180,000 
€14,300-21,400
$15,400-23,100

Sold for HK$151,200

Contact Specialist

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

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XV

28 - 29 November 2022 (Online Registration ends 27 Nov, 2pm HKT)