Rolex - The Geneva Watch Auction: XV Geneva Saturday, May 7, 2022 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 2008
    Reference No: 116759SA
    Case No: V756587
    Model Name: GMT-Master II
    Material: 18K white gold, diamonds and sapphires
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 3186, 31 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: 18K white gold and diamond-set Rolex Oyster bracelet, max length 195mm
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K white gold Rolex deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 40mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex guarantee, presentation box and outer packaging.

  • Catalogue Essay

    The GMT-Master is most famously, and typically, cased in stainless steel. While reference 6542 and 1675 were sometimes cased in precious metals, these were infrequent occurrences. Indeed, it was not until the arrival of reference 16758 in 1979, that the GMT-Master was set with rubies, diamonds and sapphires, thus inspiring its nickname, ‘SARU’.

    Heavy, robust and lavishly set with either a diamond-sapphire, or diamond-sapphire-ruby bezel, reference 116759SA (without rubies) reinterprets the original SARU with a white gold case, providing a dressy alternative to the classic stainless steel GMT- Master II. This example is one of the most prestigious versions and is set with a pavé dial, sapphires and diamonds on the bezel, along with diamonds set on the center links.

    Preserved in excellent condition, this timepiece is accompanied by its original accessories such as its original guarantee and presentation box.

  • 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. 116759SA
A highly rare and attractive white gold, diamond and sapphire-set dual time wristwatch with center seconds, date, bracelet and guarantee

Circa 2008
40mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed

Estimate
CHF70,000 - 140,000 
€68,800-138,000
$74,300-149,000

Sold for CHF270,900

Contact Specialist

Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Watches, Continental Europe and the Middle East

+41 22 317 81 81
AGhotbi@phillips.com

Tiffany To
Head of Sale, Geneva

+41 22 317 96 63
TiffanyTo@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: XV

Geneva Auction 7 - 8 May 2022