Rolex - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XV Hong Kong Monday, November 28, 2022 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1999
    Reference No: 18239
    Movement No: 7’798’778
    Case No: A602’826
    Model Name: Day-Date
    Material: 18K white gold
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 3155, 31 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: 18K white gold Rolex President bracelet, max length 170mm
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K white gold Rolex concealed folding clasp
    Dimensions: 36mm diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex guarantee stamped Precision Watch Co., LTD, Hong Kong dated 26th August 1999.
    Literature: A similar example prominently illustrated in the Day-Date The Presidential Rolex by Pucci Papaleo p 406-407

  • Catalogue Essay

    This superb white gold Day-Date is fitted with an incredibly attractive and very rare blue sodalite dial with diamond-set indexes. The deep blue "mottled pattern" surface of the sodalite dial - with no two dials being the same - provides perfect contrast for the white of the diamond-set numerals and gold case to truly shine. The calendar windows, like with all hard-stone dials, are framed in white metal.

    Hardstone dials are among the most attractive and collectible dials to have ever found their way into the Day-Date line. Beyond the present sodalite, other stones have been employed by Rolex: onyx, malachite, marble, agate and jade are just some examples of this remarkable diversity.

    Offered in attractive overall condition, the present Rolex Day-Date ref. 18239 equipped with a double quick-set function for its day and date indications featuring the elusive sodalite dial with diamond-set indexes is a sight to behold for passionate collectors of Day-Dates and hardstone dials.

  • 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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874

Ref. 18239
A fine, attractive and rare white gold wristwatch with center seconds, day, date, blue sodalite dial, diamond-set indexes, bracelet and guarantee

Circa 1999
36mm diameter
Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed

Estimate
HK$120,000 - 200,000 
€14,300-23,800
$15,400-25,600

Sold for HK$315,000

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)