Rolex - The Geneva Watch Auction: XI Geneva Sunday, June 28, 2020 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1975
    Reference No: 1803
    Movement No: DD106327
    Case No: 4'137'231
    Model Name: Day-Date "Stella"
    Material: 18K yellow gold
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 1556, 26 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: 18K yellow gold Rolex President bracelet, max length 185mm
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Rolex deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 36mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed

  • Catalogue Essay

    Among the most collectible of all Day-Dates are ones fitted with lacquer "Stella" dials. Translucent yet vibrant, "Stella" dials offer so much exclusivity to the wearer, as no lacquer dial is exactly the same in appearance. Rolex adorned their Day-Date watches with a range of lacquer dials, ranging from yellow to mint green and even a stunning orange tone, like the present watch.

    The present Day-Date, reference 1803, features a rich and incredibly glossy vermilion "Stella" dial, which contrasts vibrantly against the yellow gold baton indexes. Despite being over 40 years of age, the dial still retains its highly glossy finish, just as if it left the factory yesterday. It is preserved in excellent condition, with no cracks or hairlines at all. All luminous dots are present and perfectly match the luminous on the hands.

  • 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. 1803
A highly rare and attractive yellow gold calendar wristwatch with vermilion "Stella" dial and bracelet

Circa 1975
36mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed

Estimate
CHF20,000 - 40,000 
€18,500-37,100
$21,900-43,700

Sold for CHF57,500

Contact Specialist

Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Watches, Continental Europe and the Middle East

41 79 637 1724
aghotbi@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: XI

Geneva Auction 27 - 28 June 2020