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

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1967
    Reference No: 1601
    Movement No: 11’675
    Case No: 1’603’620
    Model Name: Datejust
    Material: 18K pink gold
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 1570, 26 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K pink gold Rolex pin buckle
    Dimensions: 36mm diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

  • Catalogue Essay

    The Rolex Datejust was first introduced in 1945, with the ref. 4467, in celebration of the firm’s 40th anniversary. Being the world’s first waterproof automatic wristwatch to incorporate a date disc and aperture at 3 o’clock, it enjoyed instant recognition upon its release. The ref. 1601 came onto the scene much later in 50s in various metals with fluted jubilee bezels, along with variants of cases and bracelets in stainless steel, bicoloured or golds.

    Preserved in excellent condition, the present example is fitted with a warm silvered sunburst pie-pan dial, complimented by gilt faceted baton hands and indexes and a well-preserved bezel. The caseback is further adorned with a unique engraving, “A DIN DON POPPI S.p.A”, possibly to commemorate a joyous personal memory or event. Encased in 18K pink gold, this timepiece is a classic Datejust model that will never go out of style and can be worn on any occasion.

  • 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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850

Ref. 1601
A fine, attractive and well-preserved pink gold wristwatch with center seconds and date

Circa 1967
36mm diameter
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

Estimate
HK$40,000 - 80,000 
€4,800-9,500
$5,100-10,300

Sold for HK$69,300

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)