Rolex - The Geneva Watch Auction: XIII Geneva Saturday, May 8, 2021 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1987
    Reference No: 18248
    Movement No: 5'081'750
    Case No: R949149
    Model Name: Day-Date
    Material: 18K yellow gold and diamonds
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 3155, 31 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: 18K yellow gold Rolex President bracelet, max length 180mm
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Rolex deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 36mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex guarantee, product literature, presentation box, hang tag and outer packaging.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Since its introduction in 1956, the Day-Date has continued to embody the Rolex ethos of luxury and power. Myriad combinations were made possible by the variety of dials and case materials, the innumerable bezel patterns, and the different bracelet assortments.

    Displaying a beautiful blue dégradé dial, this Day-Date is adorned with a diamond-set bezel and markers. Lavishly cased in yellow gold, the combination between blue dial and brilliant case is astonishing.

    Preserved in excellent condition, the present watch is accompanied by its Rolex guarantee, product literature, presentation box and outer packaging. To the best of our knowledge, the present timepiece was upgraded with the current diamond-set bezel during a servicing at Rolex.

  • 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 highly rare and attractive yellow gold and diamond-set calendar wristwatch with blue lacquer dégradé dial, bracelet, guarantee and presentation box

Circa 1987
36mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed

Estimate
CHF20,000 - 30,000 
€18,100-27,200
$21,800-32,700

Sold for CHF30,240

Contact Specialist

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

41 79 637 1724
aghotbi@phillips.com

 

 

The Geneva Watch Auction: XIII

Geneva Auction 8 - 9 May 2021