Rolex - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XV Hong Kong Monday, November 28, 2022 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1993
    Reference No: 18238
    Movement No: 6’781’718
    Case No: S813’292
    Model Name: Day-Date
    Material: 18K yellow gold
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 3155, 31 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: 18K yellow gold Rolex President bracelet, max length 170mm
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Rolex concealed folding clasp
    Dimensions: 36mm diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed
    Accessories: Delivered with a Rolex international service guarantee dated 28th March 2022.

  • Catalogue Essay

    The present Rolex Day-Date ref. 18238 from circa 1993 features a superbly rare black onyx dial with diamond-set indexes. While Day-Date’s featuring hardstone dials are already a notch more desirable than regular examples, it is rare to find the perfect combination. The onyx variants, not only is it rare but arguably one of the most desirable combinations ever produced by Rolex. Featuring a glossy appearance, the black background is the perfect contrast against any metal, especially yellow gold. Set with 10 brilliant-cut diamonds on applied yellow gold mounting, all the small details play a role to execute the perfect aesthetic from its gold day and date windows to its gilt text. Incredibly handsome, the present ref. 18238 with an onyx dial is the considered by many collectors as the perfect Day-Date.

  • 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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1025

Ref. 18238
A very fine, rare and handsome yellow gold wristwatch with center seconds, day, date, onyx dial, diamond-set indexes and bracelet

Circa 1993
36mm diameter
Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed

Estimate
HK$120,000 - 200,000 
€14,300-23,800
$15,400-25,600

Sold for HK$352,800

Contact Specialist

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

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XV

28 - 29 November 2022 (Online Registration ends 27 Nov, 2pm HKT)