Rolex - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XIV Hong Kong Friday, May 27, 2022 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1980
    Reference No: 17000
    Case No: 6’341’711
    Model Name: Oysterquartz Datejust
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Quartz, cal. 5035, 11 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet, max length 185mm
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster deployant clasp stamped “GC”
    Dimensions: 36mm diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex guarantee stamped Duty Free Shoppers Ltd Hong Kong dated 3rd June 1984, product literature, green card holder, outer packaging and fitted presentation box.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Towards the end of the 1970s, the Swiss watch industry was affected by the Quartz crisis, with Japanese watchmakers supplied the world market with a large quantity of quartz watches. To combat this situation, Rolex decided to manufacture a new series of watches fitted with quartz movement, and the Oysterquartz Datejust was conceived.

    The Rolex Oysterquartz Datejust ref. 17000, first appeared in 1977, was introduced during the time when the brand sought to meet clients’ demands for quartz watch movements, and can be considered as the grandfather of all subsequent quartz watches created by the brand, such as the Oysterquartz Day-Date.

    The present example Rolex Oysterquartz Datejust ref. 17000 from circa 1980 in stainless steel with a matching silver dial is offered in “like new” overall condition and is complete with its original papers and presentation box.

  • 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. 17000
A fine and well-preserved stainless steel quartz wristwatch with center seconds, date, bracelet, guarantee and presentation box

Circa 1980
36mm diameter
Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed

Estimate
HK$40,000 - 63,000 
€5,100-8,000
$5,100-8,100

Sold for HK$88,200

Contact Specialist

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

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XIV

Hong Kong Auction 27 - 28 May 2022