Rolex - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: FOUR Hong Kong Monday, May 29, 2017 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1968
    Reference No: 1806, inside case back stamped 1803
    Movement No: DD953876
    Case No: 1'674'773
    Model Name: Day-Date
    Material: 18k yellow gold
    Calibre: Automatic, 1556, 26 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Brown calf leather strap
    Dimensions: 35 mm. diameter
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed

  • Catalogue Essay

    The Day-Date reference 1806 is a rare variant and the case has a very unusual textured finish, which is also known by collectors as 'Morellis' finish. This example has been retained in very honest and 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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876

Ref. 1806, inside case back stamped 1803
A fine and rare yellow gold calendar wristwatch

Circa 1968
35 mm. diameter
Case, dial and movement signed

Estimate
HK$56,000 - 72,000 
€6,700-8,700
$7,000-9,000

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: FOUR

Hong Kong Auction 30 May 2017