201
Rolex
Ref. 116599RU
Cosmograph Daytona
An extravagant, bedazzled and rare white gold and diamond-set chronograph wristwatch with pave diamond-set dial, Roman numerals, baguette-cut diamond and ruby-set bezel
Full-Cataloguing
- Chronograph
- Rare version with baguette rubies and diamonds
- Preserved in impressive overall condition
The turn of the new millennium ushered in a new era for the Rolex Daytona, introducing an array of striking references crafted from new materials and adorned with exquisite gemstones. Although Rolex had already produced exceptionally rare gem-set Daytona models prior to the ref. 116500 series—most notably the refs. 6269 and 6270—the selection expanded significantly in the years that followed. Produced in extremely limited quantities, with some variants rarer than others, these gem-set Daytonas have become some of the most elusive modern Rolex watches. Their desirability has only continued to grow, reflected by the recent surge in demand for these dazzling 21st-century icons.
Introduced in 2000, the Rolex Daytona ref. 116500 series marked a significant milestone with the debut of Rolex's first in-house self-winding chronograph movement, the calibre 4130. A landmark achievement for the manufacture, the series remains among the most coveted modern Daytona references.
The present Rolex Daytona ref. 1165994RU is an exceptionally rare gem-set variant, distinguished by its baguette-cut diamond and ruby-set bezel, pavé diamond-set dial, and diamond-set lugs. Crafted in white gold, the case provides a refined backdrop that allows the factory-set diamonds to shimmer with understated elegance. Four baguette-cut rubies positioned at 12, 3, 6, and 9 o'clock on the bezel introduce a vibrant splash of colour, complementing the dazzling pavé dial with applied Roman numerals and elevating the watch's already striking aesthetic.
Rolex
Swiss | 1905Founded 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.