Rolex - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: ONE Hong Kong Monday, November 30, 2015 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: 1958
    Reference No: 5110
    Movement No: 50'035
    Case No: 362'056
    Model Name: Submariner
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Automatic, 1530, 25 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet, 190 mm. maximum length, end link stamped 80
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex folding deployant clasp stamped Rolex 3.69
    Dimensions: 38 mm. diameter
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed
    Accessories: Property from An Important Collector
    Literature: For another example of reference 5110, please see 100 Superlative Rolex watches by John Goldberger, pages 208 and 209.

  • Catalogue Essay

    The "Big Crown" Submariner was introduced in 1958 and made for a very short period only. The watch was fitted with the new Rolex calibre, 1530, and was the third interpretation of the "Big Crown" Submariner.

    Fitted with a black lacquer dial, the gilt graphics are not printed directly on top of this black lacquer, but underneath, which shines through in negative relief. The outer minute track is applied in the same way and the dial of this example is a great illustration of how wonderful galvanic finishing really can be. The dial has aged in a very charismatic way and the numerals have aged consistently with the hands, giving a beige-yellow tone, which is perfectly matching the gilt graphics.

    The red-tipped insert calibrated for 15 minutes is correct for the reference 5510 and the inner case back is stamped 1.1958, confirming production in the first quarter of 1958.

    Offered in original and very appealing condition, this "Big Crown" Submariner is very sought after today.

  • 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

224

Ref. 5110
A fine and very rare stainless steel wristwatch with sweep centre seconds and bracelet

1958
38 mm. diameter
Case, dial and movement signed

Estimate
HK$480,000 - 600,000 

Sold for HK$562,500

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