Rolex - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: SEVEN Hong Kong Monday, November 26, 2018 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1986
    Reference No: 18038
    Case No: 9’302’221
    Model Name: Day-date
    Material: 18K yellow gold
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 3055
    Bracelet/Strap: Alligator
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Rolex buckle
    Dimensions: 36 mm diameter
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed
    Accessories: Accompanied with guarantee punched with matching numbers, Rolex leather covered notepad, Rolex leather fitted presentation box, Rolex hang tag, product literature and outer packaging

  • Catalogue Essay

    Commonly known as “President”, the Day-Date is one of Rolex’s most coveted models. Exclusively crafted in precious metals, very few watch models come close to the stature, eminence and timelessness of the Rolex Day-Date.

    A number of prominent features make the present reference 18038 stands out from the crowd. First of all, the gorgeously gilded dial is fitted with brilliant diamonds as hour markers, bestowing an aura of prominence upon the watch. It is also fitted with a distinctive “Rolex” dial, which has a stylish appearance likely inspired by the cyberculture of the 1980s. Most significantly, the watch is fitted with an Italian day disc, instead of the more typical English days.

  • 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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Σ822

Ref. 18038
A fine and rare yellow gold and diamond-set wristwatch with Italian day disc, date, sweep center seconds, warranty, hang tag and box

Circa 1986
36 mm diameter
Case, dial and movement signed

Estimate
HK$120,000 - 200,000 
€13,300-22,100
$15,400-25,600

Contact Specialist

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

Ziyong Ho
Specialist
+852 9386 2032
ziyongho@phillips.com

Jill Chen
Specialist
+852 2318 2033
jillchen@phillips.com

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: SEVEN

Hong Kong Auction 27 November 2018