Our final live auction of the fall 2023 season is here. The PHILLIPS New York Watch Auction: NINE takes place on December 9 and 10, at our New York headquarters. The auction includes more than 150 of the world's finest watches – including the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona “The Winner” seen here.
By Arthur Touchot
I think it's fair to say the "The Winner" is not the first watch that comes to mind when reviewing the history of the Rolex Daytona. The model itself, reference 116520 (of which "The Winner" is an example), is neither especially rare, nor is it vintage. But you'd be making a huge mistake by ignoring this particular example.
Introduced in the year 2000, the model replaced the Reference 16520, presenting a new case design and perhaps more importantly, a new COSC-certified movement made from beginning to end inside Rolex's manufacture. This was Rolex's first in-house chronograph movement and it impressed both in terms of precision and accuracy.
It is therefore an important member of the Daytona family, marking the manufacture's entry into the 21st century (literally), with a big introduction on the mechanical side and several changes to the watch's graphic layout, including the re-positioning of the subsidiary seconds from nine o'clock to six o'clock. This was a decidedly modern Rolex, with a manufacture-made movement which ensured the company was no longer dependent on suppliers tobramp up the production of the Daytona. And that's exactly what they did.
The Reference 116520 was produced en masse between 2000 and 2016, making it one of the most universally enjoyed Daytonas and in the process, establishing the chronograph as a modern icon. Even though its production had been limitied, its availability on the secondary market – especially when compared to other Daytona models – means this particular watch probably wouldn't excite most vintage Rolex collectors. If you walked into a meet-up with this particular example on the wrist, most observers would at first glance mark you down as a casual fan, probably relatively new to watches. Of course, they'd be dead wrong because you would almost certainly be the one with the most unattainable Daytona in the room. And that's because "The Winner" comes with an engraving at the back which cannot be bought.
Rolex has been unwavering in its support for motorsports, proudly proclaiming its commitment to auto racing throughout the 20th and 21st century. In fact, when it was launched in 1963, the original Oyster Cosmograph was briefly known as the "Le Mans," before the company's push into the growing American market led to the adoption of the "Daytona" name, in honour of the 24 Hours of Daytona, of which it became an official sponsor. Rolex returned to Le Mans in 2001, becoming the race's official timekeeper and beginning a new tradition of offering Rolex Daytona watches to the winning team. Andy Wallace won his in 2001.
A multi-time winner of the 24 hours of Daytona, Wallace also competed and won the 24 hours of LeMans and the 12 hours of Sebring. However, his need for speed was not quenched quite yet as he then went on to establish the record-setting speed of 386.4 km/h with a McLaren F1, which for over 11 years was the world record for the fastest production car.
This Cosmograph "Winner" Daytona is, by all means, a supreme grail for serious Daytona enthusiasts. Complete with its full set of accessories and in exceptional "like-new" condition, the present lot is a truly exceptional timepiece in the history of horology and motor sports. It's lot 25 in the New York Watch Auction: NINE, and it carries an estimate of USD $30,000 - 60,000.
You can learn more, place a bid, and view the entire New York Watch Auction: XVII catalog right here.
About Phillips In Association With Bacs & Russo
The team of specialists at PHILLIPS Watches is dedicated to an uncompromised approach to quality, transparency, and client service. Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo holds the world record for the most successful watch auction, with its Geneva Watch Auction: XIV having realized $74.5 million in 2021. Over the course of 2021 and 2022, the company sold 100% of the watches offered, a first in the industry, resulting in the highest annual total in history across all the auction houses at $227 million.
About Logan Baker
Logan has spent the past decade working in watch-focused media, reporting on every aspect of the industry. He joined Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo at the start of 2023 as the department's Senior Editorial Manager. He splits his time between New York and Geneva.
Recommended Reading
A Novice's Guide To The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona