Rolex - The Geneva Watch Auction: SIX Geneva Friday, November 10, 2017 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1983
    Reference No: 16753 inside caseback stamped 16750
    Movement No: 1'008'255
    Case No: 7'623'132
    Model Name: GMT-Master "Elio de Angelis"
    Material: Stainless steel and 18K yellow gold
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 3075, 27 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: Gold plated Rolex buckle
    Dimensions: 39mm. Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex International Service Warranty and service papers dated 6 July 1998, leather wallet, product literature, fitted Rolex presentation box. The watch is also accompanied by a postcard, an article on Elio De Angelis and a book "Remembering Elio" with a dedication from Gérard Ducarouge to the current owner.

  • Catalogue Essay

    The GMT-Master was created by Rolex in the second half of the 1950s in collaboration with Pan Am. it was issued by the airline to its crews on long-haul flights, enabling them to read a second time zone on their timepiece. In 1981, the reference 16750 replaced the previous reference 1675. The main upgrade was a quick date feature.

    This watch, reference 16753, is a rare variant within the GMT family as it is cased in both stainless steel and yellow gold. It has a beautiful brown dial and caramel and chocolate bezel. Collectors dub this model the 'Root Beer'. The present watch features no 'flaking' to the 'nipple' dial, which is extremely rare, as this particular dial is known easily crack over time. The bezel remains vibrant, displaying a sharp gold and light brown colour, giving the watch a very charismatic look.

    This specific watch was offered to the Formula 1 engineer Gérard Ducarouge by the pilot Elio de Angelis on his first pole position with the Lotus-Renault 94T during the 1983 European Grand Prix. This Grand Prix was finally won by Nelson Piquet. The pole position by Elio de Angelis had been achieved in 1min and 12 seconds and, as a sign of gratitude, the watch was offered to his engineer with the wording “Con Affeto” (with affection) on the case.

    In overall excellent condition, this lot would interest the collector interested in a GMT Master with a twist and, with its motorsport linkage, it’s sure to be a great addition for the discerning collector.

    Elio de Angelis
    - 1958 : Born in Rome
    - 1977 : 1st victory in Formula 3 with the team "Trivellato"
    - 1977 : Wins the Italian championship
    - 1978 : Wins the Monaco Grand Prix on Formula 3.
    - 1980 : Joins the team "Lotus" where he will stay 6 seasons.
    - 1982 : 1st victory in Formula 1 in Austria
    - 1984 : 3rd title in the Formula 1 championship
    - 1985 : 2nd victory in Formula 1 at Imola
    - 1986 : Joins Braham-BMW
    - 1986 : Died in Marseille following a car accident during the qualifications

  • 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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246

Ref. 16753 inside caseback stamped 16750
An attractive and historically interesting two-tone dual time wristwatch with centre seconds and date

Circa 1983
39mm. Diameter
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

Estimate
CHF8,000 - 12,000 
€6,900-10,400
$8,300-12,400

Sold for CHF17,500

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

The Geneva Watch Auction: SIX

Geneva Auctions 11 - 12 November 2017