Rolex - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XIX Hong Kong Saturday, November 23, 2024 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 2003
    Reference No: 16200, inside caseback stamped “2080”
    Movement No: 30'130'170
    Case No: F266'639
    Model Name: Datejust
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 3135, 31 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex Jubilee bracelet, endlinks stamped “555B”, max length 195mm
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex deployant clasp stamped “62510H” and “L2”
    Dimensions: 36mm diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex guarantee stamped Gallo Rocco, Italy dated April 2011, hang tag and green card holder.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Hardstone dials are undoubtedly one of Rolex's signature and most coveted features in the current market. These dials not only offer a stunning range of colors, textures, and visual appeal, but their production involves a challenging and meticulous process. Natural hardstones vary in hardness and composition, making them fragile and difficult to work with. It is believed that a significant portion of the material is wasted during manufacturing, resulting in dials that often differ in thickness compared to standard ones.

    The present example is a remarkable representation of the beloved Datejust, fitted with a gorgeous lapis lazuli dial. It is particularly rare to find a steel Datejust combined with a hardstone dial, making this piece extremely desirable among collectors. With an F serial, the watch was made circa 2003. However more importantly, as production of this 16200 reference was coming to an end, it’s likely that the retailer sought to preserve the last examples using the final batches of lapis lazuli stock dials made in the 1990s, prior to the redesign of the case with thicker lugs and a sportier profile seen in the six-digit reference Datejusts.

    Not to mention the overall state of preservation of this watch is exceptional, showcasing a perfect dial and sharp definition in the case, lugs, bezel, and bracelet. It even retains the green Rolex sticker on the caseback, making this an attractive addition to any collection.

  • 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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1026

Ref. 16200, inside caseback stamped “2080”
A well-preserved and attractive stainless steel wristwatch with center seconds, date, lapis lazuli dial, bracelet and guarantee

Circa 2003
36mm diameter
Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed

Estimate
HK$90,000 - 180,000 
€10,500-21,100
$11,500-23,100

Sold for HK$406,400

Contact Specialist

Thomas Perazzi
Head of Watches, Asia
+852 2318 2030
WatchesHK@phillips.com
 

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

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XIX

Hong Kong Auction 23 - 24 November 2024