Rolex - Rolex Milestones: 38 Legendary Watches That Shaped History Hong Kong Sunday, November 27, 2016 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1971
    Reference No: 1803
    Movement No: DD407910
    Case No: 2’771’762
    Model Name: Day-Date
    Material: 18k yellow gold
    Calibre: Automatic, 1556, 26 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: 18k yellow gold Rolex mesh bracelet, 195 mm. maximum length
    Clasp/Buckle: 18k yellow gold Rolex folding deployant clasp stamped 3.71
    Dimensions: 36 mm. diameter
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed
    Literature: The present watch is prominently illustrated in the 100 Superlative Rolex Watches App by John Goldberger.

  • Catalogue Essay

    It is widely acknowledged among Rolex scholars and collectors, that the Day-Date is the most varied, unusual and creative model the firm has ever produced. The Day-Date was Rolex’s first model to display separate day and date apertures. Since the model’s official launch in 1956, the Day-Date has seen a multitude of watch design variations.

    Cased in yellow gold, pink gold, white gold or platinum, the Day-Date has been fitted with a plethora of dials, ranging from those set in delicate hard stone, to ones heavily embellished with diamonds. The firm has designed a series of special bracelets on top of the iconic President style, such as the ‘tile-link’, Milanese, ‘Octopussy’, brick-link textured bracelet and more.

    John Goldberger's Opinion

    I am attracted by the clean, simple geometric lines of the Day-Date’s which balance very well with its different eye catching variations.The present Day-Date, fitted with a turquoise colored ‘Stella’ dial and yellow gold mesh bracelet, really embodies the Rolex philosophy of merging aesthetics with practical function. Beyond telling the ‘Day’ and ‘Date’, this watch features a lacquer dial that is colorful and eye catching.

    The original bracelet, designed with an unusual mesh pattern, is very thick and of stupendous quality, and stamped for the third quarter of 1971. This case is unpolished, full in proportions with sharp finishes throughout. It carries a deep hallmark to the back of the lug.

  • 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.

    View More Works

818

Ref. 1803
A very rare yellow gold calendar wristwatch with center seconds, turquoise lacquer ‘Stella’ dial, mesh bracelet, guarantee and presentation box

Circa 1971
36 mm. diameter
Case, dial and movement signed

Estimate
HK$96,000 - 192,000 
$12,000-24,000

Sold for HK$237,500

Contact Specialist

Thomas Perazzi
International Department Head
+85 26 773 93 15

Rolex Milestones: 38 Legendary Watches That Shaped History

Hong Kong Auction 28 November 2016