Rolex - Hong Kong: Watches Online Auction I Hong Kong Thursday, July 21, 2022 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 2010
    Reference No: 116748SA
    Movement No: 995U9858
    Case No: 373C1112
    Model Name: GMT-Master II
    Material: 18K yellow gold
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 3186, 31 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: 18K yellow gold Rolex Oyster bracelet, max length 175mm
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Rolex Oyster deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 40mm diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement, bracelet, clasp signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex hangtag, product literature, leather card holder and fitted presentation box.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Typically housed in stainless steel, the Rolex GMT-Master is undoubtedly one of the longest-running cult favourites since its story began in 1954. With the birth of ref. 6542, featuring the now-iconic date magnifying bubble and dual time zone complication, this model quickly became a ‘must-have’ for the frequent flying modern-day gentlemen in the 1960s. Once a humble utilitarian timepiece for airline pilots, Rolex had to keep up with its soaring popularity and ever-growing demand by introducing more opulent iterations in precious metals, then later unveiling the highly coveted iced-out GMT-Masters in 1979.

    With day and night indication, the present example is a GMT-Master II with a lavishly set bezel in baguette-shaped blue sapphires and white diamonds. Pairing the carefully handpicked stones with a warm 18k yellow gold case, the ref. 116748 SA at hand is most certainly a winner according to John Goldberger, famed author of “Time to Race” and long-time connoisseur of Rolexes with a penchant for golden-era vintage Swiss watches. With only a handful of examples that have surfaced on the market so far, this is an extremely rare specimen, the last of its kind to feature its highly distinguishable non-diamond-set lugs. Offered in excellent overall condition with its original presentation box, this collectable, historically important and distinctive sports watch will be a beautiful addition to any 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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825

Ref. 116748SA
A fine and very rare yellow gold dual-time wristwatch with sapphire and diamond-set bezel, center seconds, date, bracelet and presentation box

Circa 2010
40mm diameter
Case, dial, movement, bracelet, clasp signed

Estimate
HK$320,000 - 480,000 
€39,600-59,400
$41,000-61,500

Sold for HK$756,000

Contact Specialist

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

Hong Kong: Watches Online Auction I

21-27 July 2022 (Registration ends 6pm HKT 26 July)