Monaco Legend Group has a number of exquisite Rolex Day-Date I in its upcoming Spring Exclusive Timepieces auction on the 22nd and 23rd April 2023 in Monaco
The President
Rolex unveiled the Day-Date in 1956 during Baselworld Exhibition. The new Oyster-cased watch built on Rolex’s groundbreaking Datejust technology with the addition of a day window, that was placed proudly at the top of the dial. The Day-Date was Rolex’s most prestigious watch and was, therefore, manufactured exclusively in gold and platinum. A watch that cost almost ten times the price of a steel sports watch, the Day-Date deserved its nickname, “The President”.
Lot 248 — ROLEX, Very Important and Attractive, Day-Date, Automatic Wristwatch in Platinum, Birch Wood Dial, Diamond-set Bezel, Reference 18 346 – Estimate: € 50,000 – 100,000 - VIEW LOTLot 103 — ROLEX, Special and Refined, Day-Date, Automatic Wristwatch in Platinum, Diamond Set Silver Dial, Reference 1802 – Estimate: € 30,000 – 60,000 - VIEW LOTLot 247 — ROLEX, Very Fine and Attractive, Day-Date, Automatic Wristwatch in Pink Gold, With Box, Bulletin de Marche, Warranty, Booklets and Listing Price, Reference 1803 – Estimate: € 35,000 – 70,000 - VIEW LOT
Dial D for Diamonds
Many features of collectible Rolex watches were first seen on Day-Dates, such as the full pave dial. Rolex takes gem-setting very seriously and all the diamonds used, even the tiniest for full pave dials, must include zero inclusions when checked at 10x magnification. Each stone is checked by eye and compared with master stones to ensure only the finest examples make it onto watches. The cut used for pave dials is known as the 8/8 cut, which has a total of 17 facets. It is this attention to detail that elevates these watches above other brands.
Lot 146 — ROLEX, Extremely Rare and Catching, Day-date, Automatic Wristwatch in Yellow-gold, Diamond-Set Blue Degrade Dial and Bezel, With Tag and Rolex Sticker, Reference 18 348 – Estimate: € 18,000 – 36,000 - VIEW LOTLot 220 — ROLEX, Absolutely Outstanding, Precious and Glamorous, Day-Date “Octopussy”, Automatic Wristwatch in Platinum, Silvered Diamond Set Dial, Bezel and Bracelet, Reference 1804 – Estimate: € 200,000 – 400,000 - VIEW LOTLot 218 — ROLEX, Extremely Rare and Preserved in Remarkable Conditions, Day-Date, Automatic Wristwatch in Platinum, Diamond-Set Bezel and Diamond Baguette Indexes, With Platinum President “Big Logo” Bracelet, Reference 6613 – Estimate: € 150,000 – 300,000 - VIEW LOTLot 130 — ROLEX, Special and Refined, Day-Date, Automatic Wristwatch in Platinum, Diamond Set Dial and Bezel, Reference 1804 – Estimate: € 30,000 – 60,000 - VIEW LOT
Special Dials
It was also in these watches that Rolex began offering one of its most iconic dials, the Stella. The dials were available in a kaleidoscope of bright colours, created by building up layers of lacquer to give a high-gloss finish. Other special Day-Date dials were made in stone, the manufacturing of which is incredibly demanding. Making dials from hard stone is difficult as the final piece required is both incredibly thin and delicate. One of the most appealing and collectible aspects of stone dials is, however, is that each one is unique.
Lot 166 — ROLEX, Incredibly Rare and Absolutely Precious, Day-date, Automatic Wristwatch in Yellow Gold, With Tiffany-Blue Lacquered “stella” Dial, Reference 18 038 – Estimate: € 25,000 – 50,000 - VIEW LOTLot 210 — ROLEX, Extremely Rare and Very Important, Day-Date, Automatic Wristwatch in Yellow Gold, Green Diamond-Set Stella Dial, With Warranty, Reference 18 038 – Estimate: € 35,000 – 70,000 - VIEW LOTLot 148 — ROLEX, Very Fascinating and Fine, Day-Date, Automatic Wristwatch in Yellow Gold, With Light-Blue Lacquered “Stella” Dial, Reference 1803 – Estimate: € 10,000 – 20,000 - VIEW LOTLot 23 — ROLEX, Special and Refined, Day-Date, Automatic Wristwatch, in Yellow Gold, Jasper Dial, Reference 18 038 – Estimate: € 20,000 – 40,000 - VIEW LOTLot 119 — ROLEX, Rare and Desirable, Day-Date, Automatic Wristwatch, in Yellow Gold, Onyx Dial, Reference 18 038 – Estimate: € 12,000 – 24,000 - VIEW LOT
