Rolex - WINNING ICONS – Legendary Watches of the 20th Century New York Thursday, October 26, 2017 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: 1994
    Reference No: 16568
    Movement No: 92211
    Case No: W176’611
    Model Name: Cosmograph Daytona
    Material: 18k yellow gold
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 4030, 31 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Rolex 18k yellow gold Oyster, reference 78398, max. length 210mm
    Clasp/Buckle: 18k yellow gold twinlock deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 39mm diameter
    Accessories: Accompanied by original presentation box, cotton cloth, leather pouch, booklet and guarantee confirming the watch was purchased from Orologeria Pisa in Milan on April 21, 1995.

  • Catalogue Essay

    One of the most impressive features of the reference 16568 is the exquisite baguette-cut diamond-set bezel superbly crafted by Rolex. Accordingly, the Cosmograph Daytona has always been considered a ‘technical’ watch, traditionally cased in stainless steel. The very first gemset Daytona models – references 6269 and 6270 – were produced in extremely few examples during the 1980s. For their first self-winding Daytona models fitted with the famed Zenith El-Primero based caliber 4030, Rolex produced a very limited number with baguette cut diamond bezels, including the seldom seen reference 16568. Its bezel has fixed, heavy gold bars in line with the dial’s gem-set hour markers, acting as an hour chapter, while giving it a versatile and masculine appeal. The pavé diamond-set dial is adorned with emerald set hour markers and the result is sublime, making it a truly iconic variant of the classic Daytona. The case is in superb, original condition, hardly worn, with all of its original factory finishing, curves, and crisp edges intact. Although this model is barely 20 years old, it has already obtained a cult status amongst collectors and, as with the now-discontinued caliber 4030, offers a vintage feel. Further enhanced by its original presentation box, leather wallet, booklet and punched guarantee, it is perhaps the finest and most complete examples to appear on the market.

  • 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 very rare and attractive yellow gold chronograph wristwatch with diamond-set bezel and dial, emerald-set hour markers and bracelet, accompanied by presentation box, leather pouch, cloth, booklet and guarantee.

1994
Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed
39mm diameter

Estimate
$150,000 - 300,000 
CHF146,000-292,000
€128,000-256,000
HK$1,170,000-2,340,000

Sold for $200,000

Contact Specialist
Paul Boutros
Head of Watches, Americas
+1 212 940 1293
pboutros@phillips.com

WINNING ICONS – Legendary Watches of the 20th Century

New York Auction 26 October 2017