Rolex - The New York Watch Auction: NINE New York Saturday, December 9, 2023 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1984
    Reference No: 18039
    Movement No: 0055332
    Case No: 8031768, inside caseback stamped 18000
    Model Name: Day-Date
    Material: 18K white gold
    Calibre: Automatic, cal.3055, 27 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: 18K white gold Rolex President bracelet, endlinks stamped “55”, max length 180mm
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K white gold Rolex concealed folding clasp
    Dimensions: 36mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement, bracelet, and clasp signed.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Commonly referred to as the “President’s watch,” the Rolex Day-Date has garnered iconic status since its initial release in 1956. Predominantly encased in precious metals, the Day-Date is one of the most diverse range of wristwatches that Rolex has to offer, with examples in varying sizes, case and dial materials, dial configurations, and with dazzling gem-setting.

    The present Day-Date from circa 1984 falls into one of the rarest categories of the model. The reference 18039, was first introduced by Rolex in 1978, upgraded from the famed and much-loved ref. 1803, most notably with a sapphire crystal. Encased in white gold, the present example features an extremely rare “jasper” dial. Further enhancing its importance is the fact that the dial’s color is a deep and vibrant monochrome green shade, reminiscent of the color the brand itself is associated with.

    With most “jasper” dials found in yellow gold cases, and many of them being red jasper dials (commonly referred to as "bloodstone"), this white gold case with green jasper dial is considered to be one of the rarest configurations for this reference. Presented in outstanding overall condition and most probably unpolished, it is an exceptional example for the connoisseur.

  • 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. 18039
An absolutely sublime and extremely rare white gold wristwatch with day, date, bracelet, and jasper hard stone dial

Circa 1984
36mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement, bracelet, and clasp signed.

Estimate
$80,000 - 160,000 
CHF70,000-140,000
€73,500-147,000
HK$625,000-1,250,000
S$107,000-214,000

Sold for $196,850

Contact Specialist

Paul Boutros
Deputy Chairman and Head of Watches, Americas
+1 (212) 940-1293
WatchesNY@Phillips.com
 
Isabella Proia
Head of Sale, New York
+1 (212) 940 1285
iproia@phillips.com

The New York Watch Auction: NINE

New York Auction 9 - 10 December 2023