Rolex - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XVIII Hong Kong Friday, May 24, 2024 | Phillips

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  • Condition Report

  • Description

    View our Conditions of Sale.

  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1995
    Reference No: 16238, inside caseback stamped 16200
    Movement No: 7’205’883
    Case No: W593’564
    Model Name: Datejust
    Material: 18K yellow gold
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 3135, 31 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: 18K yellow gold Rolex Jubilee bracelet, endlinks stamped “49B”, max length 195mm
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Rolex concealed folding clasp stamped “8386” and “W8”
    Dimensions: 36mm diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex instruction manual, product literature, fitted presentation box and outer packaging.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Hardstone dials are undoubtedly one of Rolex's signature and most coveted dials in the current market. These dials not only offer a wide range of colors, textures, and visual appeal, their production is a challenging and meticulous process. Since natural hardstones have varying hardness and composition, it makes them fragile and very difficult to work with. It is believed that a significant portion of the material is wasted during the manufacturing process, resulting in dials that often differ in thickness compared to regular ones.

    The present Rolex Datejust ref. 16238 exemplifies one of the most sought-after hardstone dials of recent times: onyx. With its glossy, opaque appearance and wax-like luster, onyx ranks 6.5-7 on the Mohs scale of hardness. It harmoniously complements the iconic yellow gold case, and the diamond indexes at 6 and 9 o'clock add a touch of glamour and contrast against the black surface.

    The watch is further accompanied by a period-correct yellow gold Jubilee bracelet, perfectly matching the overall aesthetic. With a well-preserved case and a flawless dial, it is a highly desirable timepiece for discerning collectors.

  • 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.

    View More Works

1032

Ref. 16238, inside caseback stamped 16200
A well-preserved and attractive yellow gold wristwatch with center seconds, date, onyx dial, diamond-set indexes, bracelet and presentation box

Circa 1995
36mm diameter
Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed

Estimate
HK$190,000 - 270,000 
€22,700-32,300
$24,400-34,600

Place Advance Bid
Contact Specialist

Thomas Perazzi
Deputy Chairman, Watches, Head of Watches, Asia
+852 2318 2031
WatchesHK@phillips.com
 

Gertrude Wong
Head of Sale, Hong Kong
+ 852 2318 2045
gertrudewong@phillips.com
 

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XVIII

Hong Kong Auction 24 - 25 May 2024