Rolex - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: EIGHT Hong Kong Monday, May 27, 2019 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: 1974
    Reference No: 1601
    Movement No: D630’925
    Case No: 3’822’703
    Model Name: DateJust
    Material: 18k white gold and onyx
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 1570, 26 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: 18k white gold Rolex Jubilee bracelet, endlinks stamped "53", max overall length 195mm
    Clasp/Buckle: 18k white gold Rolex deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 36mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex Guarantee signed Fujita Ota-ku, Toykyo and dated December 19th, 1977 and product literature.

  • Catalogue Essay

    The Rolex DateJust was released in 1945 and was the first wristwatch with an automatically changing date wheel and Jubilee bracelet, which honored the Jubilee anniversary. The first model, reference 4467, celebrated the 40th anniversary of the company and today the DateJust is one of the earliest models that still exists today in their production.

    The present reference 1601 is a rare find in white gold, compared with more common examples in yellow gold or stainless steel. With the characteristic fluted bezel and the rare onyx dial, the timepiece has a timeless quality that transcends time. A stunning vintage watch in excellent condition and accompanied by the original guarantee, this is a collector’s dreams find. The DateJust is a wristwatch icon with a history that spans almost 75 years and it is still a fan favorite 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.

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1105

Ref. 1601
A very rare and highly attractive white gold wristwatch with date, center seconds, onyx dial, bracelet and guarantee

1974
36mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

Estimate
HK$240,000 - 400,000 
€27,100-45,100
$30,800-51,300

Sold for HK$550,000

Contact Specialist

Thomas Perazzi
Head of Watches, Asia
thomasperazzi@phillips.com
+852 2318 2001

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: EIGHT

Hong Kong Auction 28 May 2019