Rolex - The Geneva Watch Auction: SIX Geneva Friday, November 10, 2017 | Phillips

The Geneva Watch Auction: SIX

Geneva Auctions 11 - 12 November 2017

  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: 1987
    Reference No: 19078
    Movement No: 0'102'190
    Case No: R'241'349
    Model Name: Day-Date Oysterquartz "Rainbow"
    Material: 18K yellow gold and multi gem stones
    Calibre: Quartz, cal. 5055, 11 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: 18K yellow gold Rolex "Pyramide" bracelet, max length 185mm.
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Rolex concealed folding deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 36.5mm. Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed

  • Catalogue Essay

    Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Rolex channeled their resources in creating their very own in-house quartz movements, one of them being the caliber 5055. Known as the OysterQuartz, this calibre functioned similarly and accurately as any automatic Day-Date movement, such as the caliber 1556.

    Like the Presidential Day-Date, the OysterQuartz was fitted with a variety of designs, ranging from gem-set bezels, to lavish bracelet embellishments and a variety of dial materials.

    One among only few of its kind, the present watch is a superlative specimen, boldly displaying a rainbow colored multi gem-set bezel, which gradually changes shade and color to mimic the color spectrum. The bezel commences with a rich velvet blue tone at 12 o'clock, and slowly transforms to green, yellow, orange and finally red. The bezel's beauty stems from the well-matched, pure and brightly colored gemstones. The colors blend together seamlessly - a result that could only be an original Rolex factory job, attesting to the firm's technical superiority and eye for color.

    The bracelet too, is equally impressive, designed with a "Pyramide" motif that repeated on the center links, adding another style twist.

    Impressive and unusual, this watch delights in its array of contrasting designs, transforming the classic model into a show stopping objet d'art.

  • 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.

    View More Works

254

Rolex

Ref. 19078
A highly rare, attractive and unusual yellow gold and rainbow-colored multi-gem set tonneau-shaped calendar wristwatch with quartz movement and bracelet

1987
36.5mm. Diameter
Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed

Estimate
CHF100,000 - 200,000 
€86,300-173,000
$103,000-207,000

Contact Specialist
Alexandre Ghotbi
+41 22 317 81 89
aghotbi@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: SIX

Geneva Auctions 11 - 12 November 2017