Manufacturer: Rolex
Year: Circa 1980
Reference No: 1500
Movement No: D’589’140
Case No: 6’435’758
Model Name: Oyster Perpetual Date
Material: 18K yellow gold
Calibre: Automatic, cal. 1570, 26 jewels
Bracelet/Strap: Leather
Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Rolex buckle
Dimensions: 35mm Diameter
Signed: Case, dial, movement, and buckle signed.
Accessories: Accompanied by four additional multicolored straps and travel springbar tool, provided by Wind Vintage.
Catalogue Essay
The Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date - not to be confused with the Oyster Perpetual Datejust - was introduced to the Rolex lineup in 1955, where it has remained ever since as the brand’s entry-level complicated model. The first Oyster Perpetual Date, reference 6534, was in production from 1955 until 1960, when it was replaced by the reference 1500. From 1960 to 1976, the reference 1500 was treated to a similar array of case materials and dial variations as the more well-known Datejust with only one small difference: a two-millimeter reduction in size.

Luxurious and resplendent in 18 karat yellow gold fitted with a matching champagne dial, the reference 1500 offered here is made even more exceptional by virtue of its condition. The case is remarkably well-preserved, with sharp hallmarks to the reverse of the lugs. The original factory brushed finishing is present on the sides of the case and tops of the lugs. The radiant gold dial is similarly preserved, with each baton hour marker with a strip of black enamel embedded to allow for an attractive and useful contrast to the rest of the dial and case.

Generously donated by Mr. Eric Wind of Wind Vintage, the present watch comes accompanied by an assortment of four additional colorful calfskin straps and a travel springbar tool to easily change the strap when the mood strikes.

This watch is being sold to benefit the Horological Society of New York’s ongoing education initiatives, in support of international traveling and virtual education programs, scholarships for students of watchmaking, and awards to watchmaking schools.
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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Lot offered with No Reserve

Rolex

Ref. 1500
A beautiful and well-preserved yellow gold wristwatch with date, sold to benefit the Horological Society of New York’s ongoing education initiatives

Circa 1980
35mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement, and buckle signed.

Estimate
$3,000 - 5,000 •
CHF2,700-4,500
€2,500-4,100
HK$23,300-38,800

Sold for $13,860

Contact Specialist

watchesny@phillips.com

Timepieces for HSNY: Online Charity Auction

Online Auction 7 - 14 June 2021

1No Reserve
Rolex
Ref. 5500; inside caseback stamped 1002
Model: Air-King
An interesting and rare stainless steel wristwatch with bracelet, “Pool-Intairdril” logo, and presentation box, sold to benefit the Horological Society of New York’s ongoing education initiatives
Estimate $2,000 - 3,000 •
Sold for $6,048
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2No Reserve
Ulysse Nardin
A fine silver chronometer deck watch made for the British Hydrographic Service with brass case, wooden box, and extract from the archives, sold to benefit the Horological Society of New York’s ongoing education initiatives
Estimate $2,000 - 4,000 •
Sold for $5,670
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3No Reserve
Patek Philippe
Ref. 3589
Model: Ellipse
A very fine, rare, and unusual white gold cushion-shaped wristwatch with blue Roman-numeral dial, sold to benefit the Horological Society of New York’s ongoing education initiatives
Estimate $4,000 - 6,000 •
Sold for $10,710
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4No Reserve
Rolex
Ref. 1500
Model: Oyster Perpetual Date
A beautiful and well-preserved yellow gold wristwatch with date, sold to benefit the Horological Society of New York’s ongoing education initiatives
Estimate $3,000 - 5,000 •
Sold for $13,860
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5No Reserve
Greubel Forsey
Model: Meccano, Double Tourbillon Concept
A very rare and historically significant metal mechanical Double Tourbillon 30° model celebrating the brand’s 10th anniversary, with pamphlet and presentation box, sold to benefit the Horological Society of New York’s ongoing education initiatives
Estimate $1,000 - 2,000 •
Sold for $6,048
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6No Reserve
Grand Seiko
Ref. SBGM239
Model: Automatic GMT SBGM239 Limited Edition for Hodinkee
A brand new, very fine, attractive, and limited stainless steel dual time-zone wristwatch with date, bracelet, certificate, and presentation box, sold to benefit the Horological Society of New York’s ongoing education initiatives
Estimate $3,000 - 6,000 •
Sold for $8,820
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7No Reserve
Arnold & Son
Ref. ALCAPD05A
Model: HM Horological Society New York
An exceptional, brand new, and unique 18-karat pink gold wristwatch with miniature hand painted, luminous mother-of-pearl day and night “Manhattan Bridge” dial made for the Horological Society of New York, with certificate of guarantee, and presentation box, case, dial, movement, bracelet, and clasp signed, with case marked HSNY 2021.
Estimate $5,000 - 10,000 •
Sold for $30,240
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Timepieces for HSNY: Online Charity Auction

Online Auction 7 - 14 June 2021

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Catalogue Essay

Artist Biography

Rolex

4

Rolex

Ref. 1500A beautiful and well-preserved yellow gold wristwatch with date, sold to benefit the Horological Society of New York’s ongoing education initiatives

Timepieces for HSNY: Online Charity Auction

Create your first list.

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Create your first list.

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Ref. 1500
A beautiful and well-preserved yellow gold wristwatch with date, sold to benefit the Horological Society of New York’s ongoing education initiatives