Rolex - The Geneva Watch Auction: FIVE Geneva Friday, May 12, 2017 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: 2012
    Reference No: 116599RBOW
    Movement No: C 0659131
    Case No: 360Z0653
    Model Name: Cosmograph Daytona "Rainbow"
    Material: 18k white gold, diamonds and multi gemstones
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 4130, 44 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: 18K white gold Rolex Oyster bracelet, max length 178mm.
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K white gold Rolex Rolex twinlock folding deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 40mm. Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex fitted presentation box, outer packaging, product literature, wallet and Garantie Internationale dated 26 November 2012.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Rolex is an absolute master at incorporating precious materials to their horological masterpieces. While the firm started to seriously integrate diamonds and gemstones with the introduction of the Zenith Daytona, it was not until the 2000s that Rolex truly pushed the design boundaries of the Cosmograph Daytona.

    The present watch is aptly named "Rainbow" due to its beautiful and impressive bezel, which is set with gemstones that graduate in hue to mimic the color spectrum. The tones range from a vibrant and intense deep red, and slowly morph to mauve, orange, chartreuse, green, blue and finally deep purple. The bezel's beauty stems from the well-matched, pure and bright colored gemstones. The colors blend together seamlessly, attesting to Rolex's technical superiority and eye for color. The lugs are furthermore set with diamonds, to enhance the colorful nature of the watch.

    At the time of production, it was incredibly time consuming and expensive to produce the Rainbow Daytona. To find incredibly well-matched and beautiful stones is no easy feat, and it was difficult for Rolex to obtain stones that fulfilled their rigorous standards in quality. As a result, very few Rainbow Daytonas were produced and the model is now discontinued.

    Today, the watch has soared to new heights in popularity due to its utter rarity and impressive looks. Due to a lack of supply on the market, the Rainbow Daytona is often not available to those even willing to pay a premium.

    Preserved in excellent and like-new condition, the present watch is accompanied by its original guarantee. Its a rare opportunity to acquire one of the rarest and most sought-after Daytonas in modern production.

  • Artist Biography

    Rolex

    Swiss • 1905

    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.

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Ref. 116599RBOW
A very rare, heavy and attractive white gold, diamond and rainbow-colored multi-gem set chronograph wristwatch with bracelet, fitted presentation box and original guarantee

2012
40mm. Diameter
Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed

Estimate
CHF80,000 - 120,000 
€74,100-111,000
$79,300-119,000

Sold for CHF181,250

Contact Specialist
Alexandre Ghotbi
+41 22 317 81 89

The Geneva Watch Auction: FIVE

Geneva Auctions 13 – 14 May 2017