Rolex - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: TWO Hong Kong Monday, May 30, 2016 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: 1975
    Reference No: 6694
    Case No: 3'795'849
    Model Name: OysterDate
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Mechanical, 1225, 17 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet, 175 mm. maximum length, end link stamped 361
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex folding deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 35 mm. diameter
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed

  • Catalogue Essay

    This very rare OysterDate is fitted with a dial bearing the Coat of Arms of the Yemen Arab Republic. From 1945 to 1990, Yemen was split into the North and South, with each region carrying their own national emblems. This dial features the new Coat of Arms of North Yemen from 1974 to 1990, which is correct for the date of this watch. It is possible that this watch was made on a special order to commemorate the new emblem.

  • 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. 6694
A rare stainless steel wristwatch with sweep centre seconds, date and bracelet, made for the Yemen Arab Republic

1975
35 mm. diameter
Case, dial and movement signed

Estimate
HK$40,000 - 60,000 

Sold for HK$75,000

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: TWO

Hong Kong Auction 31 May 2016