Rolex - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: FIVE Hong Kong Monday, November 27, 2017 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1965
    Reference No: 1806
    Case No: 1'080'402
    Model Name: Day-Date
    Material: 18k gold
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 1556, 26 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: 18k gold Rolex textured bracelet, max. length 190mm
    Clasp/Buckle: 18k gold Rolex deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 35mm diameter
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed

  • Catalogue Essay

    The present Day-Date is a remarkable example highlighted by two very sought-after traits. The most obvious is the black lacquered dial: the deep gloss finish granted by the lacquer perfectly integrates with the gold case and gilt designations, the contrast of such a bold chromatic arrangement creating a piece with momentous aesthetic impact.
    The second is the finish of case and bracelet: not the usual satin/polished one, but a much more elaborated and mesmerizing textured finish. A true interpreter of its times, such kind of designs began to be used in the mid-sixties - and thus this is one of the earliest interpretations of the concept - and blossomed in the seventies. These decades are in fact characterized by a gradual simplification of dial designs, in ensemble with a parallel increase in the complexity of the case which becomes a canvas to experiment with angular, geometric shapes and, such as indeed in this instance, unusual and extremely elaborated finishes.

  • 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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823

Ref. 1806
A very rare and extremely attractive gold wristwatch with sweep centre seconds, day, date, black lacquered dial and bracelet

Circa 1965
35mm diameter
Case, dial and movement signed

Estimate
HK$140,000 - 190,000 
€15,200-20,700
$18,000-24,000

Sold for HK$200,000

Contact Specialist
Ziyong Ho
Specialist
+852 9386 2032
yong.ho@phillips.com

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: FIVE

Hong Kong Auction 28 November 2017