Rolex - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: NINE Hong Kong Monday, November 25, 2019 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1941
    Reference No: 2280, case back stamped Oyster Watch Co.
    Case No: 130’527
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Manual, 17 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel pin buckle
    Dimensions: 30mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial and movement

  • Catalogue Essay

    The Rolex Oyster case was first introduced in 1926 claiming its rights to be the first waterproof case. However, it is believed that the first waterproof case was designed and patented by Paul Perregaux and Georges Perret in 1925 and Hans Widorf bought the patent in the same year off the two innovative gentlemen.

    The present example is fitted with the rare “Oyster Watch Co” caseback, which is only seen in early examples. Adding to the attraction, the present example is presented with a nice clean dial, rare for early Rolex Oyster models.

  • 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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969

Ref. 2280, case back stamped Oyster Watch Co.
A fine and attractive stainless steel wristwatch with small center seconds and blued hands

Circa 1941
30mm Diameter
Case, dial and movement

Estimate
HK$20,000 - 40,000 
€2,300-4,600
$2,600-5,100

Sold for HK$27,500

Contact Specialist

Thomas Perazzi
Head of Watches, Asia
thomasperazzi@phillips.com
+852 2318 2001

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: NINE

Hong Kong Auction 25-26 November 2019