Rolex - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XV Hong Kong Monday, November 28, 2022 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1997
    Reference No: 18239
    Movement No: 7’291’491
    Case No: T187’521; inside caseback stamped “18200”
    Model Name: Day-Date
    Material: 18K white gold
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 3155, 31 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: 18K white gold Rolex President bracelet , endlinks stamped “55BG”, max length 180mm
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K white gold Rolex concealed deployant folding clasp “8385”
    Dimensions: 36mm diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex guarantee stamped Michaud & Co Neuchatel, Switzerland dated 18th February 1997 and hang tag.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Ever glamorous, the Day-Date model delights with its myriad of dial, bracelet, bezel and gold-finished designs. Since its inception in 1956, it remains one of the most surprising and diverse flagship models Rolex has ever produced. Apart from prototype models, the Day-Date has only been cased in precious metals, attesting to its glamor and prestige.

    The present specimen from circa 1997 delights collectors with its incredible Yves Klein blue from the gorgeous lapis lazuli, tastefully decorated with a dash of glamour, 10 diamond-set indexes sparkles in harmony. Available with the choices in both yellow gold and white gold, the deep blue hue with light flecks shimmer and compliment the present white gold case perfectly, certainly an exquisite choice for collectors who enjoys subtlety. Preserved in excellent condition and further accompanied with its original guarantee dated 1997, this Day-Date will sure impress collectors with discerning taste.

  • 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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881

Ref. 18239
A highly rare and attractive white gold with center seconds, day, date, lapis lazuli dial, diamond-set indexes, bracelet and guarantee

Circa 1997
36mm diameter
Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed

Estimate
HK$200,000 - 360,000 
€23,800-42,800
$25,600-46,200

Sold for HK$693,000

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)