Rolex - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: SIX Hong Kong Monday, May 28, 2018 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1995
    Reference No: 18386, case back stamped "18200" to the inside
    Case No: W011910
    Model Name: Day-Date
    Material: platinum and diamond-set
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 3155, 31 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Platinum Rolex President bracelet stamped "55B" to the endlinks, maximum length 200mm
    Clasp/Buckle: Platinum Rolex concealed deployant clasp stamped "8385" and "W11"
    Dimensions: 36mm diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and clasp signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex punched Garantie stamped by Hong Kong retailer Eldorado Watch Co. LTD. and dated Spetember 8, 1997, warranty translation booklet, calendar card for the years 1997 and 1998, sale tags, rubber bezel protection, fitted leather presentation box and outer packaging

  • Catalogue Essay

    Cased in the most noble of metals and set with diamonds both in its case and dial as well, the present timepiece is a breathtaking example from the Day-Date line. The brushed blue dial is mesmerizing, acquiring a different shade of blue according to how light impacts it. Furthermore, it provides excellent contrast for the diamond-setting to express its maximum shine. The attention to detail reserved for this piece is evident when analyzing the dial setting: larger diamonds in square settings act as hour markers, and between each of them a double row of three smaller diamonds (thus six stones for each interspace) act as minute divisions. This provide a continuous diamond ring on the dial reprised by the diamond set bezel, resulting in a design reminiscent of sector dials. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, the present piece is offered in absolutely honest, unpolished condition and furthermore accompanied by its original sale kit down to the sale tags.

  • 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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FROM THE ORIGINAL OWNER

874

Ref. 18386, case back stamped "18200" to the inside
A rare and very fine platinum and diamond-set automatic wristwatch with center seconds, day, date, blue dial, bracelet, Garantie and box

Circa 1995
36mm diameter
Case, dial, movement and clasp signed

Estimate
HK$260,000 - 500,000 
€28,600-55,000
$33,300-64,100

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: SIX

Hong Kong Auction 29 May 2018