Rolex - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: ONE Hong Kong Monday, November 30, 2015 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: 1979
    Reference No: 18038, inside case back stamped 18000
    Movement No: 0'296'701
    Case No: 5'909'127
    Model Name: Day-Date
    Material: 18k yellow gold
    Calibre: Automatic, 3055, 27 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Black crocodile leather strap
    Clasp/Buckle: Gilt Rolex buckle
    Dimensions: 36 mm. diameter
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed
    Accessories: With Rolex fitted pouch.
    Literature: For another example of an reference 18038 however with diamond-set red "Stella" dial, please see Daydate, The Presidential Rolex by Pucci Papaleo, page 366.

  • Catalogue Essay

    In unpolished condition, the present Day-Date is fitted with a rich ox-blood "Stella" dial. The dial is further finished with gold graphics, perfectly matching the case. The case is extremely crisp and the fluted bezel is very sharp. Overall this is a very pleasant Day-Date in very original condition.

  • 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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Σ100

Ref. 18038, inside case back stamped 18000
A fine and rare yellow gold calendar wristwatch with sweep centre seconds and ox-blood "Stella" dial

1979
36 mm. diameter
Case, dial and movement signed

Estimate
HK$80,000 - 120,000 

Contact Specialist

Thomas Perazzi
Head of Watches, Asia
+852 2318 2001
thomasperazzi@phillips.com

Ziyong Ho
Specialist
+852 9386 2032
ziyongho@phillips.com

Jill Chen
Specialist
+852 2318 2033
jillchen@phillips.com

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: ONE

Hong Kong Auction 1 December 2015 11am