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1022

Rolex

Ref. 18238, case back stamped "18200" to the inside

Day-Date

A fine, very rare, unusual and very attractive yellow gold automatic wristwatch with center seconds, day, date, lapis lazuli dial, diamond-set Arabic numerals, bracelet

Estimate
HK$120,000 - 160,000
€13,200 - 17,600
$15,400 - 20,500
HK$237,500
Lot Details
Manufacturer
Rolex
Year
Circa 1995
Reference No
18238, case back stamped "18200" to the inside
Case No
W845646
Model Name
Day-Date
Material
18K yellow gold
Calibre
Automatic, cal. 3155, 31 jewels
Bracelet/Strap
18K yellow gold Rolex President bracelet stamped "55 B" to the endlinks, maximum length 200mm
Clasp/Buckle
18K yellow gold Rolex concealed deployant clasp stamped "8385"
Dimensions
35mm diameter
Signed
Case, dial, movement and clasp signed
Accessories
Accompanied by Rolex Warranty stamped by USA retailer Reeds Jewelers dated October 16, 1999 and bearing mention of the "Lapis Arabic 2 Brill" dial, product literature, green wallet, fitted presentation box and outer packaging
Catalogue Essay
The present example of reference 18238 is one of the most rare and unusual iterations of the model. The presence of the ineffable lapis dial would already be enough to make the present piece more than coveted, but it furthermore features extremely unusual indexes: Arabic numerals at 6 and 9 each set with a brilliant-cut diamond. This reference is known with a numbers of dial configuration, with baton indexes on silvered dial appearing to be one of the - if not the - most common. Other dial examples are diamond-set baton indexes and radial Roman numerals, and the dial itself is known as standard silvered, marble, wood, coral… The present configuration, however, is without a doubt one of the most difficult to come by. The rarity and exceptionality of this dial are furthermore highlighted by the mention of the exact style on the original Warranty, confirming its factory origin. Last, but not least, not only this is a highly collectible and attractive timepiece, but it is furthermore offered in excellent condition - still bearing the green Rolex sticker to the back - and complete of its original box and papers.

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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