Manufacturer: Rolex Year: Circa 2000 Reference No: 118206 Case No: P909785, end links stamped 83856 Model Name: Day-Date Material: Platinum Calibre: Automatic, cal. 3155, 31 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Case, dial, movement, and clasp signed Clasp/Buckle: Platinum Rolex folding clasp Dimensions: 36mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement, and clasp signed Accessories: Accompanied by 2 extra platinum links, guarantee, manual, two green wallets, bezel protector, and factory service booklet
Catalogue Essay
Since its introduction in 1956, the Day-Date is one of the most varied and diverse flagship models Rolex manufactures, and most notably, has only ever been cased in precious metals, demonstrating its glamour and status. The present Rolex Day-Date reference 118206 is cased in platinum, considered to be the most prestigious of metals.
At 36mm, the watch sits comfortably and fashionably on wrist sizes of all types. The beautiful ice-blue dial with mirror-polished roman numerals adds even further appeal and elegance. Distinguished by its platinum case and well-preserved with the original factory sticker still present on its caseback, this modern Day-Date is certain to delight collectors with its enduring appeal.
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.