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881

Rolex

Ref. 18238

Day-Date

A very attractive and well-preserved yellow gold wristwatch with center seconds, day, date, lapis lazuli dial, diamond-set Arabic numerals, bracelet and guarantee

Estimate
HK$150,000 - 240,000
€17,000 - 27,200
$19,200 - 30,800
HK$304,800
Lot Details
Manufacturer
Rolex
Year
Circa 1995
Reference No
18238
Movement No
7’081’341
Case No
W472’385
Model Name
Day-Date
Material
18K yellow gold
Calibre
Automatic, cal. 3155, 31 jewels
Bracelet/Strap
18K yellow gold Rolex Oyster riveted bracelet, endlinks stamped "76B", max length 190mm
Clasp/Buckle
18K yellow gold Rolex Oyster deployant clasp stamped "V2"
Dimensions
36mm diameter
Signed
Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed
Accessories
Accompanied by punched Rolex Guarantee stamped Michael Verikokakis Glifada Greece dated 7 December 1995 and service guarantee dated 24 September 2021.
Catalogue Essay
Hardstone dials are among Rolex's most signature and sought-after features in today's market. These dials not only showcase a stunning array of colors, textures, and visual appeal, but their production involves a meticulous and challenging process. Natural hardstones vary in hardness and composition, making them fragile and difficult to work with. It is estimated that a significant portion of the material is wasted during manufacturing, resulting in dials that often differ in thickness compared to standard options.

The present example is a remarkable representation of the beloved Day-Date, adorned with a striking lapis lazuli dial. Finding a dial in very good condition is particularly rare, as many have developed cracks or imperfections over the years, making this piece extremely desirable among collectors. Bearing a W serial number, the watch was produced circa 1995 and is complemented by a rare 18K yellow gold Oyster riveted bracelet, rather than the typical President bracelet, adding a unique touch to this example. The diamond-set “6” and “9” further enhance the lapis lazuli surface, providing an elegant luxury appeal.

Not only is the overall preservation of the watch superb, but it also comes with the original punched guarantee from 1995 and a Rolex service guarantee from 2021, making it a remarkable find for any collector.

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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