Rolex - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XV Hong Kong Monday, November 28, 2022 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1996
    Reference No: 18239
    Movement No: 7’443’703
    Case No: T521’903
    Model Name: Day-Date
    Material: 18K white gold
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 3155, 31 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: 18K white gold Rolex President bracelet, max length 170mm
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K white gold Rolex concealed folding clasp
    Dimensions: 36mm diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex guarantee stamped Oeding Erdel dated 20th October 1997, service guarantee and hang tags.

  • Catalogue Essay

    The present Rolex Day-Date ref. 18239 in white gold features a rare meteorite dial with two trapeze-cut diamond-set indexes. The textured effect of the meteorite adds flair, movement and intrigue to the dial layout, and furthermore provides a perfect canvas for the diamond-set numerals to shine on. The calendar windows, like with all hard-stone dials, are framed in white metal.

    Being the very first to incorporate meteorite in a wristwatch, Rolex timepieces with its rare Gibeon meteorite dial are found mostly in the Day-Date, GMT-Master and Daytona. Due to its natural composition, each meteorite dial fitted would never be identical from one dial to another, making each example unique. For each dial made, a slice of Gibeon meteorite is precisely cut accordingly with a layer of acid-wash applied on the surface to maximize the intensity of the texture of the meteorite.

    Preserved in excellent overall condition, the present dazzling example Rolex Day-Date ref. 18239 from circa 1996 is complete with its original guarantee. With growing interest from collectors seeking for rare examples of the Day-Date, meteorite dials are with no doubt scarce in production due to its tedious procedure to execute making this a great opportunity for collectors to acquire one for their collection.

  • 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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871

Ref. 18239
A fine and rare white gold wristwatch with center seconds, day, date, meteorite dial, diamond-set indexes, bracelet and guarantee

Circa 1996
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$239,400

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)