Rolex - The Geneva Watch Auction: THREE Geneva Saturday, May 14, 2016 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: 1990
    Reference No: 18238, stamped 18200 inside the case back
    Movement No: 5'752'246
    Case No: E633'151
    Model Name: Day-Date "Jurassic Park"
    Material: 18k yellow gold
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 3155, 31 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: 18k yellow gold Rolex President, reference 8385, end links stamped 55B
    Clasp/Buckle: Concealed deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 36mm. Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex punched guarantee confirming the sale of the present watch in July 15th, 1992

  • Catalogue Essay

    Since its original launch in 1956, the Rolex Day-Date has seduced the world with a wonderful spectrum of dials ranging from the simple to the colorful to the fanciful, and finally, to the extraordinary. Switching from playful lacquer to hard stone or engraved gold, the diverse dials of the Day-Date give every so-called President’s watch a unique identity and character.

    Rolex pushed its limits once again when offering in the early 1990s the present reference 18238 “Jurassic Park” with its extraordinary dial carved from a petrified fossil. It is indeed difficult to imagine how complicated it is to carve a slice out of such a fragile stone, and then to drill the holes required to mount the ten diamond hour markers. Adding even more appeal to this rare watch, it’s presented in superb condition with hardly any signs of wear, even retaining its original green sticker on the caseback. Accompanied by its original punched guarantee, this watch is as good as it could get for a collectible, modern Day-Date.

  • 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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Σ182

Ref. 18238, stamped 18200 inside the case back
A very rare and unusual yellow gold and diamond-set calendar wristwatch with bracelet, fossil hard stone dial and guarantee

1990
36mm. Diameter
Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed

Estimate
CHF12,000 - 24,000 
€11,000-22,000
$12,400-24,700

Sold for CHF15,000

Contact Specialist
Nathalie Monbaron
+41 22 317 81 83

The Geneva Watch Auction: THREE

Geneva Auction 15 May 2016