Rolex - Racing Pulse New York Saturday, December 12, 2020 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1979
    Reference No: 16018; inner caseback marked 16000
    Movement No: O434113
    Case No: 6’337’115
    Model Name: Datejust
    Material: 18K yellow gold and lapis lazuli
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 3035, 27 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: Gold-plated Rolex buckle
    Dimensions: 36mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement, and buckle signed.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Encased in 18k yellow gold and fitted with a deep, cobalt blue Lapis Lazuli dial, the present Rolex Datejust reference 16018 is the perfect embodiment of elegance. Lapis Lazuli has long been treasured by Ancient Egyptian and Roman rulers as well as Renaissance painters for its intense and vibrant hues. The ultramarine pigment was not only Cleopatra’s favorite color, but also an inspiration to the Dutch master Vermeer in painting his masterpiece ‘Girl with a Pearl Earring’. With the present timepiece, Rolex exquisitely blends the majestic allure of Lapis Lazuli with a complementary yellow gold case to create a motif of timeless luxury.

    Due to the naturally occurring calcite and pyrite deposits inherent in Lapis Lazuli, each dial creation is unique in appearance. The present timepiece is in superb condition, with a flawless dial revealing only hints of pyrite flecks. Its case, with remnants of its original factory sticker remaining on the caseback, is very sharp and shows very few signs of wear. Moreover, stone dials as such are readily seen on the Day-Date model, but rarer to come by on a Datejust.

  • 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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Ref. 16018; inner caseback marked 16000
A very well-preserved, rare, and attractive yellow gold wristwatch with date and lapis lazuli dial

Circa 1979
36mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement, and buckle signed.

Estimate
$12,000 - 24,000 
CHF11,000-21,900
€10,200-20,300
HK$93,000-186,000

Sold for $27,720

Contact Specialist

Paul Boutros
Head of Watches, Americas & International Strategy Advisor
Senior Vice President
+1 212 940 1293
pboutros@phillips.com

Racing Pulse

New York Auction 12 December 2020