Rolex - TOKI: Watch Auction Hong Kong Friday, November 22, 2024 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1967
    Reference No: 1600
    Movement No: 059’684
    Case No: 1’744’965; inside caseback stamped “1601”, “IV.67”
    Model Name: Datejust
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 1570, 26 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex Jubilee bracelet, endlinks stamped “55”, max length 190mm
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster deployant clasp stamped “6251H” and “2.68”
    Dimensions: 36mm diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed

  • Catalogue Essay

    In the 1960s, we witnessed a new era of remarkable dial designs that challenged the perception of watches as conservative objects.

    In a 1967-1968 catalogue, Singer presented numerous new designs, print techniques, markers, layouts, and finishes for various brands. One of the more unique and stunning dials is the present pie-pan dial with beautiful, funky block markers, a surviving design from the Singer books that went into production in very low numbers and is found in 4-digit Datejusts and even some exclusive Daytonas. The Singer stamp on the backside of the dial completes the provenance of this timepiece.

    The beautiful block markers, filled with a mirror surface has a unique feel on the wrist, reflecting light at every angle. The shape, height, and position of the indexes are intriguing and clearly add an unusual dynamic to the sunburst silver dial. The minimalistic design of the Datejust perfectly matches the Japanese lifestyle, a way of living that embraces simplicity and austerity. Hence, it has enjoyed a great following in Japan since the inception of this iconic watch, which has been a major and successful market for Rolex.

    Preserved in excellent condition, this uber rare dial from circa 1967 would be a prized addition to any discerning Datejust 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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77

Ref. 1600
A very rare and well-preserved stainless steel wristwatch with center seconds, silvered dial with oversized block indexes, date and bracelet

Circa 1967
36mm diameter
Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed

Estimate
HK$20,000 - 40,000 
€2,300-4,600
$2,600-5,100

Sold for HK$50,800

Contact Specialist

Thomas Perazzi
Head of Watches, Asia
+852 2318 2030
WatchesHK@phillips.com

Gertrude Wong
Head of Sale, Hong Kong
+852 2318 2045
gertrudewong@phillips.com

TOKI: Watch Auction

Hong Kong Auction 22 November