Rolex - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: EIGHT Hong Kong Monday, May 27, 2019 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: 1990
    Reference No: 18238, caseback 18200
    Movement No: 5’738’887
    Case No: E633’026
    Model Name: Day-Date
    Material: 18K yellow gold
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 3155, 31 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: 18K yellow gold Rolex Oyster bracelet, endlinks stamped "55B", max length 180mm
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Rolex deployant clasp, stamped "8385"
    Dimensions: 39mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed
    Accessories: With punched Rolex Guarantee dated March 1992, leather presentation box, 1989 and 1990 calendar, and leather card holder.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Lapis lazuli has been mined as early as the 7th millennium BC, and has a long and rich history of folklore and legends. One famous legend states that King Solomon was given possession of a lapis lazuli ring by an angel. For this fine example of 18238, Rolex wondrously combined the mythological allure of the precious stone with the fine design of the Day-Date model. While the dial displays a hypnotizing shade of blue flecked with tints of gold, its Arabic numerals at 6 and 9 are each adorned with a brilliant-cut diamond. In overall excellent condition, the watch, accompanied with box and paper, is a truly incredible item to behold, possess and enjoy.

  • 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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1107

Ref. 18238, caseback 18200
A very attractive and unusual yellow gold wristwatch with sweep center seconds, day, date, lapis lazuli dial, diamond-set Arabic numerals, bracelet, guarantee and presentation box

1990
39mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed

Estimate
HK$150,000 - 250,000 
€16,900-28,200
$19,200-32,100

Sold for HK$250,000

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