Rolex - The Geneva Watch Auction: X Geneva Saturday, November 9, 2019 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: 2019
    Reference No: 116659 SABR
    Case No: 7VJ36281
    Model Name: Submariner
    Material: 18K white gold and sapphires
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 3135, 31 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: 18K white gold Rolex Oyster bracelet, max length 185mm
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K white gold Rolex deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 41mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex guarantee dated May 14, 2019, additional links, product literature, presentation box and outer packaging.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Affectionately nicknamed "Smurf", this Submariner is lavishly set with baguette sapphires on the bezel and diamonds on the shoulders. Incredibly eye-catching and dazzling, this timepiece shows Rolex's expertise in the time-consuming job of selecting, along with setting, well-matched hard stones and gemstones.

    As with all Rolex watches, functionality lies at the heart of everything. Interestingly, the first nine sapphires are lighter in tone and color - they represent the classic dive bezel graduated for decompression times. As a design twist, the beautiful deep soleil dial does not display a depth rating.

    Offered without reserve and preserved in excellent and almost new-old-stock condition, the present watch is accompanied by a Rolex guarantee, additional links, product literature, presentation box and outer packaging. It most notably just left the Rolex retailer mere months ago in May.

  • 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

281

Lot offered with No Reserve

Ref. 116659 SABR
A highly rare and attractive white gold and sapphire-set wristwatch with center seconds, date, bracelet, guarantee and presentation box

2019
41mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed

Estimate
CHF50,000 - 100,000 
€46,900-93,800
$52,000-104,000

Sold for CHF93,750

Contact Specialist
Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Watches, Continental Europe and the Middle East
+ 41 79 637 1724
aghotbi@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: X

Geneva Auction 9-10 November 2019