Rolex - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: SIX Hong Kong Monday, May 28, 2018 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1985
    Reference No: 18038, case back stamped "18000" to the inside
    Case No: 8'980'058
    Model Name: Day-Date
    Material: 18K yellow gold, diamond and ruby-set
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 3055, 27 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: 18K yellow gold Rolex President bracelet stamped "55" to the endlinks, maximum length 200mm
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold concealed Rolex deployant clasp stamped "8385" and "J6"
    Dimensions: 36mm diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and clasp signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex punched Garantie stamped by Hong Kong retailer Zurich Watch Co, LTD. and dated December 1985

  • Catalogue Essay

    One of the supremely attractive gem-set iterations of the Day-Date model, the present piece impresses the beholder with its luxurious dial set with diamonds and rubies. The baton-cut rubies act as hour markers, while the brilliant-cut diamonds indicate the minutes. The excellent, unpolished condition of the watch and the presence of its original punched warranty further amplify the appeal of this unusual and remarkable timepiece.

  • 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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918

Ref. 18038, case back stamped "18000" to the inside
A very fine, rare and attractive yellow gold and diamond and ruby-set automatic wristwatch with center seconds, day, date, bracelet and Garantie

Circa 1985
36mm diameter
Case, dial, movement and clasp signed

Estimate
HK$100,000 - 150,000 
€11,000-16,500
$12,800-19,200

Sold for HK$118,750

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