Onyx (縞瑪瑙, 黑玛瑙) has
a long history of use for hardstone carving and jewelry, where it is usually
cut as a cabochon or into beads. It has also been used for intaglio and
hardstone cameo engraved gems, where the bands make the image contrast with the
ground. Some onyx is natural but much of the material in commerce is produced
by the staining of agate.
Onyx was used in Egypt as early as the Second Dynasty to
make bowls and other pottery items. Use of sardonyx appears in the art of
Minoan Crete, notably from the archaeological recoveries at Knossos.
The ancient Romans entered battle carrying amulets of
sardonyx engraved with Mars, the god of war. This was believed to bestow
courage in battle. In Renaissance Europe, wearing sardonyx was believed to
bestow eloquence. A traditional Persian belief is that it helped with epilepsy.
Onyx is mentioned in the Bible many times.
Onyx was not only used as protection from evil witchcraft
and enchantments, it could also control undesirable thoughts and bad tempers.
It was thought the stone allowed wounds to heal and assisted in childbirth.
This is an old Pagan belief adopted by the Christian Church. The Abbey Church
of St Alban holds a healing onyx engraved with the image of Aesculapius, the
Roman god of medicine. Black onyx was once highly prized for rosary beads,
which may be why it is considered good for stress and the banishment of grief.
Rolex used to take Onyx to make their dial on their watch,
we have seen a Submariner Ref 16618 using Onyx on his dial, that watch was sold
at HK$180,000 to a Private collector in
Hong Kong.
I have a Solid gold Rolex Date Just with Onyx dial Ref
16018. That was a awesome pieces but somehow for one reason I sold it to one of
the collectors. That is one of my Watchgrets!
Have you seen Day Date white gold Ref 1803 with Onyx dial? I
have not…!?
Well, 80% cost of a Rolex goes to the dial, so the choice of
the dial as a collectible Rolex is key on its value.
Rolex has stopped making Day Date with Bloodstone, Coral,
Lapis Azuli, Malachite, Tiger eye, birch, Oak
African Mahogany, Onyx as for
reason of super high cost on the dial material selection, lapping, drilling,
and making the index, it take days to make such a dial. As the yield of making
such kind of dial is low, so as the cost is high.
I think you have not found any Rolex boutique has this kind
of watch in display, so what if there is a Brand new Rolex Day Date in 18KT
gold Brand new shipped from Rolex SA Swiss into your hand as brand new!?
Last year, we have found one Rolex Day Date in Coral, it was
sold in the next day, well, here is some of the good news. We have talked to
Rolex to ship one Rolex Day Date Ref 118238 in 18K gold with clean neat Onyx
dial to HK.
It is Brand new with 5 years Rolex International Warranty.
50% or full Deposit is required for reserve on this watch as
this is likely the only one piece in Asia.
Price TBA via Whatsapp.
HK Snob
