Rolex - The Geneva Watch Auction: XVII Geneva Saturday, May 13, 2023 | Phillips

Create your first list.

Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.

  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: 2021
    Reference No: 116595RBOW
    Case No: 84G67840
    Model Name: Cosmograph Daytona "Rainbow"
    Material: 18K pink gold, diamonds and sapphires
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 4130, 44 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: 18K pink gold Rolex Oyster bracelet, max length 200mm
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K pink gold Rolex deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 40mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex Guarantee card dated May 18, 2021, green card holder, product literature, hang tag, fitted presentation box and outer packaging.

  • Catalogue Essay

    After years of introducing various gem-set wristwatches, all increasing in levels of audacity, in 2012 Rolex finally crossed the Rubicon of restraint and introduced their most spectacular, serially produced, gem-set Cosmograph Daytona yet. Originally only available in yellow and white gold, it was not until 2018 that the present 116595 in pink gold was released.

    Aptly named the Rainbow, due to its lavish and impressive bezel carefully set with gemstones that graduate in hue to mimic the color spectrum, the tones range from a vibrant and intense deep red, and slowly morph to mauve, orange, chartreuse, green, blue and finally deep purple. The attention and precision on each "RBOW" is mind-boggling, every single sapphire and gemstone used is internally flawless and perfectly cut to fit without prongs into the bezel. The lugs are furthermore set with diamonds, to enhance the colourful nature of the watch. Due to the obvious difficulty in sourcing such flawless stones, the production numbers of such timepieces remains extremely low and across all metals, few have surfaced at auction.

    Of the few Rainbow variants known to exist in pink gold, the present watch is probably the most lavish and eye-catching variant, with fitted pavé diamonds on the dial. The non-set Everose bracelet allows the timepiece to be worn with ease and comfort and sit well on the wrist.

    Virtually impossible to acquire at retail, even for longstanding customers of Rolex, the present Rainbow Daytona is in exceptional overall condition and partially retains its factory protective stickers. The now iconic reference 116595RBOW is a captivating reminder of the joie de vivre that wearing a watch can inspire, as well as the creative, technical, and aesthetic excellence of the Rolex brand.

  • 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.

    View More Works

117

Ref. 116595RBOW
A very rare, highly attractive and extremely sought-after pink gold, diamond and multi sapphire-set automatic chronograph wristwatch with bracelet, guarantee and presentation box

2021
40mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed

Estimate
CHF200,000 - 400,000 
€208,000-416,000
$228,000-457,000

Sold for CHF425,450

Contact Specialist

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

+41 79 637 17 24
AGhotbi@phillips.com

Tiffany To
Head of Sale, Geneva

+41 79 460 55 88
TiffanyTo@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: XVII

Geneva Auction 13 - 14 May 2023