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From the Guido Mondani Collection

18

Rolex

Ref. 116598SACO

Cosmograph Daytona "Leopard"

A rare, impressive and like-new yellow gold, diamond and yellow sapphire-set chronograph wristwatch with guarantee and presentation box

Estimate
CHF60,000 - 120,000
€61,300 - 123,000
$65,600 - 131,000
CHF99,060
Lot Details
Manufacturer
Rolex
Year
2007
Reference No
116598SACO
Case No
M245531
Model Name
Cosmograph Daytona "Leopard"
Material
18K yellow gold, yellow sapphires and diamonds
Calibre
Automatic, cal. 4130, 44 jewels
Bracelet/Strap
Rolex leather strap with "Leopard" print
Clasp/Buckle
18K yellow gold Rolex folding deployant clasp
Dimensions
40mm Diameter
Signed
Case, dial, movement and clasp signed
Accessories
Accompanied by Rolex guarantee dated September 2009, numbered tag, additional strap, product literature, wallet, presentation box and outer packaging. Furthermore accompanied by a copy of Rolex Daytona Self-Winding by Guido Mondani Editore.
Catalogue Essay
Introduced at Basel Fair in 2004, reference 116598 SACO immediately captured the eyes and hearts of Rolex fans. Set with diamond hour markers contrasting against a leopard print dial and strap, the watch was something entirely different than anything Rolex had conceived in the past. This print inspired the watch's nickname, "Leopard".

The watch is adorned with 36 baguette-cut yellow sapphires on the bezel, which are completely uniform, set incredibly close together and matching, which technically is no easy feat. The hoods between the lugs are also embellished with brilliant diamonds.

Presented in like-new condition with stickers on the caseband, caseback and clasp, this example is accompanied by its original guarantee, tag, presentation box and outer packaging.

Gem-set, precious sports watches are becoming increasingly collectible today, due to their good looks and robust proportions. Conspicuous, bold and audacious, this watch is a completely novel and interesting interpretation of the Cosmograph Daytona, making a bold statement about both Rolex and the collector who dons the timepiece.

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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