Rolex - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XVII Hong Kong Friday, November 24, 2023 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1996
    Reference No: 18238
    Movement No: 7’130’019
    Case No: W’409’466
    Model Name: Day-Date
    Material: 18K yellow gold
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 3155, 31 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: 18K yellow gold Rolex President bracelet, end links stamped “55B”, max length 190mm
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Rolex concealed folding clasp stamped “8385”
    Dimensions: 36mm diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex guarantee stamped Bucherer Switzerland dated October 1997, service invoice, instruction manual, product literature, leather card holder, hang tags, Rolex notepad with leather folio, cloth, fitted presentation box and outer packaging.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Embraced by collectors, the Day-Date reference 18238 offered a combination of practicality and a new array of aesthetics. Launched in 1988, the reference was the first to incorporate a double quick-set function for its day and date adjustments whilst retaining its classic good looks. The firm elevated it to the zenith by daring to include exotic materials such as rubellite, blood stone, coral, and fossil to cite a few examples, providing an unusual design twist to this already iconic watch.

    The present Rolex Day-Date reference 18238 from circa 1996 features an extremely rare and desirable white cacholong dial with diamond-set indexes. Cacholong, also known as white opal, is an incredibly rare stone and to date, only a handful of examples have ever appeared on the auction market. Hardstone dials from Rolex wristwatches have always been a fan favourite due to its due colours, textures, patterns, uniqueness, and rarity. It requires extreme precision and dedication to execute such mesmerizing dial.

    This rare variant of reference 18238 boast a case with clean and sharp edges and a beautiful dial that presents no cracks or fissures. Furthermore, it is accompanied by its full set of accessories heightening its collectability.

  • 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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867

Ref. 18238
An incredibly rare and exquisite yellow gold calendar with center seconds, day, date indication, diamond-set indexes, white cacholong opal dial, bracelet, guarantee and presentation box

Circa 1996
36mm diameter
Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed

Estimate
HK$150,000 - 300,000 
€18,200-36,300
$19,200-38,500

Sold for HK$254,000

Contact Specialist

Thomas Perazzi
Deputy Chairman, Watches, Head of Watches, Asia
+852 2318 2001
WatchesHK@phillips.com

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XVII

Hong Kong Auction 24-25 November 2023