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

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1992
    Reference No: 16618
    Movement No: 188’733
    Case No: N430’347, inside caseback stamped “16610”
    Model Name: Submariner “Onyx Sub”
    Material: 18K yellow gold
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 3135, 31 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: 18K yellow gold Rolex Oyster bracelet, endlinks stamped “46B”, max length 205mm
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Rolex Oyster deployant clasp stamped “92908” “R6”
    Dimensions: 40mm diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex guarantee stamped King Fook Gold & Jewellery (Kowloon) Co. Ltd, Hong Kong dated 1st June 1997, 1992-1993 calendar card, instruction manual, product literature, leather card holder, cloth, hang tag and fitted presentation box.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Making history since 1953, the Rolex Submariner is no doubt one of the greatest of all time diver’s wristwatch that not only cemented Rolex’s reputation in the market, it is everything about power, performance and endurance, a true no-frills sports watch. Amongst the vast variations of the Submariner lineage, Rolex began to experiment on inventive ways to elevate the model to new heights and style. Enter the present ref. 16618 full gold Submariner Date launched in the 1980s, powered by the calibre 3135 the reference 16618 definitely has a luxurious twist to the famed model. Striking in its yellow gold armour with matching bracelet, the present ref. 16618 is undeniably one of the rarest, trophy Submariner of all. Subtle in details for those who knows what he or she is looking at, this is the rarefied Onyx dial Submariner from 1992. Trimmed from hard stone, the Onyx dial is refined into a 0.2mm piece to be masterfully mounted onto the copper dial plate by the manufacture. This meticulous process takes the utmost skilful specialist, often the rejection ratio from Rolex’s rigorous inspection process are extremely high such as only 2 out of 10 dials can made it into production. Seemingly similar to a normal black lacquered ref. 16618 in aesthetic, the Onyx version is defined by the tiny detail on the date aperture with the addition of a small golden frame.

    An example of absolute rarity, the present example bearing a N serial from 1992 is preserved in exceptional condition. Boasting a strong case with defined bevels, the hallmarks behind the volumed lugs remains crisp and deep. Remarkably, the green factory caseback sticker remains intact indicating its matching reference number. Offered with its original guarantee from Hong Kong and accessories, this is a once in a blue moon opportunity for collectors of the Submariner to snatch this stunning and glamourous diver’s watch once and for all.

  • 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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947

Ref. 16618
A sublime and very rare yellow gold diver’s wristwatch with center seconds, date, onyx dial, bracelet, guarantee and presentation box

Circa 1992
40mm diameter
Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed

Estimate
HK$350,000 - 750,000 
€41,600-89,200
$44,900-96,200

Sold for HK$913,500

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)