Rolex - The Geneva Watch Auction: X Geneva Saturday, November 9, 2019 | Phillips

The Geneva Watch Auction: X

Geneva Auction 9-10 November 2019

  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1959
    Reference No: 1803
    Movement No: DD7207
    Case No: 494'485
    Model Name: Day-Date "El Dorado"
    Material: 18K pink gold
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 1555, 25 rubies
    Bracelet/Strap: 18K pink gold Rolex "Big Logo" bracelet, max length 210mm
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K pink gold Rolex deployant clasp stamped 4.59
    Dimensions: 36mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and clasp signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by a copy of Day-Date, The Presidential Rolex by Pucci Papaleo Editore.
    Literature: The present watch is prominently illustrated in Day-Date, The Presidential Rolex by Pucci Papaleo Editore, page 122 and 123. It is furthermore illustrated in 100 Superlative Rolex Watches by John Goldberger, page 162.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Ever glamorous, the Day-Date model delights with its myriad of dial, bracelet, bezel and gold-finished designs. Since its inception in 1956, it remains one of the most surprising and diverse flagship models Rolex has ever produced. Apart from prototype models, the Day-Date has only been cased in precious metals, attesting to its glamor and prestige.

    An extremely early example of reference 1803, the present watch is named "El Dorado" due to its gold livery and is forever preserved in literature. It is prominently illustrated in both Day-Date, The Presidential Rolex by Pucci Papaleo Editore and 100 Superlative Rolex Watches by John Goldberger. It features a most impressive pink gold brick link bracelet stamped for 1959, which corresponds to the year of manufacture of the wristwatch. Heavy, luxurious and flexible, it adds so much presence to the timepiece.

    Furthermore, the watch itself is preserved in astounding condition. There are barely any signs of wear on the dial, which is particularly astounding, considering the watch is 60 years of age. All graphics are intact, and it displays a rare non-luminous dial with dart indexes, which is correct for early examples.

  • 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.

    View More Works

243

Rolex

Ref. 1803
A very rare and impressive pink gold wristwatch with center seconds, day, date and brick link bracelet

Circa 1959
36mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and clasp signed

Estimate
CHF30,000 - 60,000 
€31,800-63,700
$34,700-69,400

Sold for CHF50,000

Contact Specialist
Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Watches, Continental Europe and the Middle East
+ 41 79 637 1724
aghotbi@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: X

Geneva Auction 9-10 November 2019