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

Create your first list.

Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.

  • Condition Report

  • Description

    View our Conditions of Sale.

  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1988
    Reference No: 16528
    Movement No: 15’100
    Case No: R’983’983
    Model Name: Cosmograph Daytona
    Material: 18K yellow gold
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 4030, 31 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: 18K yellow gold Rolex Oyster bracelet, endlinks numbered 103, max length 190mm
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Rolex Oyster deployant clasp, numbered 78’668, stamped M8
    Dimensions: 40mm diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex hang tag.

  • Catalogue Essay

    The 1988 Daytona marked a major milestone for Rolex, ushering in several firsts for the legendary chronograph line. It was the inaugural self-winding Daytona equipped with cal. 4030, based on a heavily modified Zenith El-Primero movement. Along with the groundbreaking new engine, the new Daytona's case grew to a contemporary 40mm diameter and was fitted with a sapphire crystal, another first for the model.

    This particular ref. 16528 exemplifies the extraordinarily rare "R" serial Daytona from 1988, among the very first batch ever fitted with the history-making self-winding caliber. Adding to its rarity is the early MK 1 bezel with its 200 unit graduation, later updated to 400 units. But the most coveted aspect is its Singer dial, made by the renowned dial maker that Rolex collaborated with in the 1980s. With diamond indexes and the “inverted 6” in the subdial, this specific variant was made only for approximately one year, making it extraordinarily scarce and coveted. While later dials had 5 lines of text, these early Singer dials have just 4 lines lacking " OFFICIALLY CERTIFIED ", marking them apart.

    Offered in exceptionally well-preserved condition, the present watch exemplifies the most desirable and short-lived iteration of the groundbreaking Daytona.

  • 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

920

Ref. 16528
A very rare, highly attractive and well-preserved yellow gold chronograph wristwatch with bracelet, diamond indexes, "MK I 4-liner" and "inverted 6" dial

Circa 1988
40mm diameter
Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed

Estimate
HK$300,000 - 500,000 
€36,000-60,100
$38,500-64,100

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