Rolex - Rolex Milestones: 38 Legendary Watches That Shaped History Hong Kong Sunday, November 27, 2016 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1981
    Reference No: 19019, inside case back stamped 19000
    Movement No: 0101’352
    Case No: 7’012’181
    Model Name: OysterQuartz Day-Date
    Material: 18k white gold
    Calibre: Quartz, 5055, 11 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: 18k white gold Rolex bracelet, 178 mm. maximum length
    Clasp/Buckle: 18k white gold Rolex concealed folding deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 36 mm. diameter
    Literature: For another example of an OysterQuartz however reference 19028 please see Day-Date, The Presidential Rolex by Pucci Papaleo, page 438.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Rolex channeled their resources in creating their very own in-house quartz movements, one of them being the caliber 5055. Also known as the OysterQuartz, this caliber functioned similarly and accurately as any automatic Day-Date movement, such as the caliber 1556. The OysterQuartz was a very important model for Rolex, as it demonstrated the firm’s ability to create high- end quartz movements.

    Rolex produced a variety of OysterQuartz watches, ranging from those fitted with wooden-made dials, to others further embellished with precious gemstones, or even a ‘Pyramide’ motif.
    Rolex eventually ceased production of caliber 5055 around 2001. Yet, OysterQuartz wristwatches have only become more desirable, collectable and rare as a result. The present model, reference 19019, was cased exclusively in white gold.

    John Goldberger's Opinion

    The term ‘unpolished’ is often used lightly, to the point where some have banned its use. Yet, I cannot think of a better way to describe this watch. Cased in white gold, which is much rarer than yellow gold, this OysterQuartz retains all original bevels and proportions. All crisp factory finishes remain to the top of the lugs, case back and bracelet. Behind the lugs display strong hallmarks, case numbers and reference number.

    The dial has been preserved in excellent condition and the white lacquer ‘Stella’ dial is intact, exhibiting a glossy finish.

    I can only imagine that this watch has been lovingly preserved in a safe, only to surface today for the pleasure of collectors and Rolex scholars. Accompanying this timepiece is its fitted presentation box.

  • 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

819

Ref. 19019, inside case back stamped 19000
A rare and attractive white gold Italian calendar wristwatch with center seconds, white ‘Stella’ lacquer dial, bracelet and fitted presentation box

Circa 1981
36 mm. diameter

Estimate
HK$80,000 - 160,000 
$10,000-20,000

Sold for HK$168,750

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