Rolex - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: EIGHT Hong Kong Monday, May 27, 2019 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1984
    Reference No: 16750
    Movement No: 1'060'075
    Case No: 8'631'078
    Model Name: GMT-Master
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 3075, 27 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet stamped "580" and "78360", max length 205mm
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex deployant clasp stamped "I6" and "78360"
    Dimensions: 40mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and clasp signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex Garantie stamped by Edinburgh retailer Watches of Switzerland Limited and dated August 22, 1985, product literature, green document holder, sale tag, fitted presentation box and outer packaging

  • Catalogue Essay

    Launched in 1980 and discontinued in 1988, the production run of reference 16570 is remarkably shorter than that of its predecessor ref. 1675 (1959-1980), with a consequent increased rarity.

    The present example is offered complete of its original accessories, most notably presenting the sticker with the case number on the green document holder, but its main feature is the superior “spider” dial. A form of aging (akin to topicalization), the spider effect comes from the glossy zapon finish cracking with age and assuming the look of a spiderweb when light hits it at the right angle. The effect can acquire different forms, with the “mesh” being more or less tight. The less tight, the more spiderweb-like the dial looks and thus the more attractive it is. The present specimen distinguishes itself for a superb, textbook example of “spidering”: with large plaques featuring intact glossy finish. It truly looks like a real spiderweb was placed upon it. It is not an overstatement to say the present watch is one of the most attractive examples of spider dial 16570.

  • 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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1180

Ref. 16750
A fine and rare stainless steel dual time wristwatch with date, spider dial, bracelet, garantie and box

Circa 1984
40mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and clasp signed

Estimate
HK$120,000 - 195,000 
€13,500-22,000
$15,400-25,000

Sold for HK$162,500

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