ROLEX. A VERY RARE 18K GOLD WRISTWATCH WITH SWEEP CENTRE SECONDS, DATE, BRACELET AND LAPIS LAZULI DIAL
Lot 2673

ROLEX. A VERY RARE 18K GOLD WRISTWATCH WITH SWEEP CENTRE SECONDS, DATE, BRACELET AND LAPIS LAZULI DIAL

SIGNED ROLEX, OYSTER PERPETUAL DATE, SUBMARINER MODEL, REF. 16618, CASE NO. N220078, CIRCA 1991

Closed28 May 2014

Price Realised

HKD 650,000

More Information

How to sell

ROLEX. A VERY RARE 18K GOLD WRISTWATCH WITH SWEEP CENTRE SECONDS, DATE, BRACELET AND LAPIS LAZULI DIAL
SIGNED ROLEX, OYSTER PERPETUAL DATE, SUBMARINER MODEL, REF. 16618, CASE NO. N220078, CIRCA 1991
Cal. 3135 automatic movement, 31 jewels, lapis lazuli dial, luminous dot, baton and dagger numerals with gold surround, luminous hands, sweep centre seconds, magnified window for date, tonneau-shaped water-resistant-type case, rotating bezel calibrated for 60 units, screw back, screw down crown, 18k gold Rolex Oyster bracelet, case, dial and movement signed
40 mm. diam.; overall length of bracelet approximately 200 mm.

Specialist note

US$25,000-40,000

With Rolex undated Attestation de Chronomètre Officiel and leather wallet.

The present Submariner is rare and should be considered as such. This example is in very good overall condition and comes adorned with an attractive and rare lapis lazuli dial. Reference 16618 belongs to the 16000 series of watches, which came out in the late 1980s and were equipped with the robust and very accurate calibre 3135. Replacing movement calibre 1575, the use of calibre 3035 marked a departure from previous automatic movements with an increase in beats per hour (BPH) from 19,800BPH to 28,800BPH.

Lapis lazuli is an attractive and deep blue gemstone, which has been cherished for centuries for its intense colour and is speckled with golden inclusions of pyrides that shimmer like stars in the night sky.