Rolex - Glamorous Day-Date Geneva Friday, May 8, 2015 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: 1989
    Reference No: 18248
    Case No: R883'123
    Model Name: Day-Date
    Material: 18k yellow gold and diamonds
    Calibre: Automatic, 3155
    Bracelet/Strap: Rolex President with bark finish centre links, stamped 55B
    Clasp/Buckle: Concealed deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 36mm. Diameter
    Signed: Movement, dial, case and bracelet signed, dial and case back further engraved with the national emblem of the Sultanate of Oman
    Accessories: With punched Rolex guarantee dated 28th November 1989 and swing tags

  • Catalogue Essay

    What feature renders a watch truly exceptional? Perhaps the complexity of its mechanism or rather the choice of materials and finishes? Could it be the design? Without any doubt, all are important elements. However, it sometimes can not be enough. As a matter of fact, the secret of success lies in the masterful combination of flair, creativity, personality, luck and customization. Perfectly exemplified by this, stunning Day-Date bearing the royal symbols printed on the dial, the ensemble exposes this example as a unique and ultimate dream piece.The timepiece was made in 1989 upon special order for the Sultanate of Oman and showcases a burgundy lacquered Stella dial fitted with diamond indexes. The day and date wheels are in Arabic. The printed Sultan insignia and crown logo are placed at 9 o’clock. The same logo is engraved on the case back.The timepiece reaches us as perfectly new and equipped with its original and complete packaging, therefore exceptionally worthy of consideration.

  • 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. 18248
A very rare and possibly unique yellow gold and diamond-set wristwatch with Arabic calendar, bracelet, centre seconds, burgundy lacquered “Stella” dial, original guarantee, swing tags, made for the Sultanate of Oman

1989
36mm. Diameter
Movement, dial, case and bracelet signed, dial and case back further engraved with the national emblem of the Sultanate of Oman

Estimate
CHF30,000 - 60,000 

Sold for CHF125,000

Contact Specialist
Livia Russo
+41 22 317 81 86

Glamorous Day-Date

Geneva Auction 9 May 2015 7pm