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

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: 2018
    Reference No: 116506-004
    Case No: 157777M3
    Model Name: Cosmograph Daytona
    Material: Platinum
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 4130, 44 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Platinum Rolex Oyster bracelet, max length 190mm
    Clasp/Buckle: Platinum Rolex deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 40mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by original Rolex Guarantee dated 10th December, 2018, product literature, wallet, hangtags and Rolex fitted presentation box.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Officially released in 2013 in commemoration of the Daytona's 50th Anniversary, the Rolex reference 116506 was the first Cosmograph Daytona to be encased in platinum. Garnering instant success amongst collectors, it was often also seen on the wrists of some of the greatest musicians, celebrities and athletes of our time. Platinum Rolex models have all been fitted with irresistible ice-blue dial. The Cerachrom bezel is offered with a warm chocolate brown hue, creating the perfect contrast between warm and colder tones.

    This particular reference 116506 however has been fitted with an even rarer ice blue Eastern Arabic dial. Rolex's collaboration with the Arab States in the Gulf dates back to the 1950s, to a time when Rolex fitted Arabic discs to the most luxurious Day-Date watches. Produced in extremely limited quantities, the first "Arabic" Rolexes were almost exclusively cased in platinum.

    According to our research, Rolex in the past had produced one manual winding Cosmograph Daytona with such numerals. Known as "The Arabian Knight", it was sold at Phillips' Daytona Ultimatum sale for 1,932,500 Swiss Francs. The present example, produced in exceedingly limited numbers and sold only by Middle East retailers, most probably pays homage to "The Arabian Knight".

    Extremely rare and sought-after, the present example is offered in barely worn condition with its original set of accessories. This Ice Blue Daytona with Eastern Arabic dial will surely delight even the most discerning of collectors, not just for the Middle East but across the globe.

  • 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. 116506-004
A highly rare and attractive platinum chronograph wristwatch with Eastern Arabic numerals, bracelet, guarantee and presentation box

2018
40mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed

Estimate
CHF100,000 - 200,000 
€104,000-208,000
$114,000-228,000

Sold for CHF177,800

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