Rolex - The Geneva Watch Auction: SIX Geneva Friday, November 10, 2017 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: 1995
    Reference No: 16568
    Movement No: 84'880
    Case No: W'516'637
    Model Name: Cosmograph Daytona
    Material: 18K yellow gold and diamonds
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 4030, 31 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: 18K yellow gold Rolex Oyster bracelet, max length 205mm.
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Rolex twinlock folding deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 40mm. Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed

  • Catalogue Essay

    Excluding the mythical reference 6270 and 6269, Rolex hardly ever embellished their chronograph models with precious stones. Yet, with the introduction of the automatic Daytona, the manufacture gradually incorporated elaborate Daytona designs to their line of production, due to changing tastes in the market. Produced by Zenith, the caliber 4030, or "El Primero", was the very first automatic chronograph movement by Rolex. Reference 16568 is most notably cased in yellow gold, which provides a subtle yet elegant twist to the technical Daytona model.

    The present example is fitted with a beautiful baguette diamond-set bezel. Another detail to please the Daytona collector is the highly rare Mk3 white dial with diamond-set markers, displaying an "inverted 6" in the sub register at 6 o'clock, along with the reappearance of the "officially certified" text at 12 o'clock.

    Preserved in excellent condition, this example features sharp hallmarks underneath the lugs and crisp finishes to the edges of the lugs.

  • 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. 16568
A rare and attractive yellow gold and diamond-set chronograph wristwatch with bracelet

1995
40mm. Diameter
Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed

Estimate
CHF80,000 - 120,000 
€69,100-104,000
$82,600-124,000

Sold for CHF131,250

Contact Specialist
Alexandre Ghotbi
+41 22 317 81 89
aghotbi@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: SIX

Geneva Auctions 11 - 12 November 2017