Rolex - The Geneva Watch Auction: SIX Geneva Friday, November 10, 2017 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1987
    Reference No: 18038
    Movement No: 1'873'609
    Case No: 9'639'900
    Model Name: Day-Date "Stella"
    Material: 18k yellow gold
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 3055, 27 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

    This "Stella" Day-Date features a radiant and beautiful green lacquer dial. Preserved in excellent condition, it dazzles and catches the light beautifully, enhanced by the diamond-set markers. The luminous has aged evenly with the hands with warm yellow patina, and the bracelet is in excellent condition. Most impressive are the edges around the day and date apertures, as the lacquer is precisely and smoothly painted along the edges, attesting to Rolex's stringent standards in quality.

    Scholars infer that its name derives from the dazzling multi-layered lacquer coating, which displays vibrant and rich colors that glisten like stars, hence the name "Stella". While the horological community hypothesizes that the model was originally intended for import to the Middle Eastern market, "Stella" dials have gained international recognition due to its beauty and delicate appearance.

    Day-Dates fitted with "Stella" dials have become incredibly popular in the last few years, and continue to do so with their rarity, fascinating history and glamorous appearance.

  • 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. 18038
A rare and attractive yellow gold calendar wristwatch with centre seconds, green lacquer dial and bracelet

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

Estimate
CHF20,000 - 30,000 
€17,300-25,900
$20,700-31,000

Sold for CHF32,500

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

The Geneva Watch Auction: SIX

Geneva Auctions 11 - 12 November 2017