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

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: 2004
    Reference No: 116589, inside caseback stamped "2119"
    Movement No: C0095405
    Case No: K576250
    Model Name: Cosmograph Daytona
    Material: 18K white gold
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 4130, 44 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Rolex burgundy alligator strap
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K white gold Rolex deployant clasp stamped "24650" and "AD"
    Dimensions: 40mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dials, movement, clasp and straps signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by additional Rolex black dial with diamond-set indexes, additional hands, Pisa Milano invoice and correspondence about the purchase of the additional dial, Rolex punched Garantie signed by Portofino, Italy retailer "Cusi" and dated December 29, 2004, two sale tags, additional mint Rolex burgundy alligator strap, presentation box and outer packaging

  • Catalogue Essay

    Not only is Rolex incredibly imaginative in their use of precious materials, they are the true precursor to the gem-set trend which has blossomed in recent years. It has adorned their sports models with a variety of materials ranging from emeralds, rubellite, pavé work and even meteorite, and as early as the 1980s (Daytona references 6269 and 6270), when adorning a sports watch with gems was bordering on horological blasphemy. Heavy and luxurious, the present watch is representative of this category. Born with a black dial with diamond markers - both contrasting with and reprising the bezel style - it was recently upgraded by Milan Rolex retailer “Pisa” with the current diamond pavé dial with black Arabic numerals. Remarkably, the purchase is fully documented as not only the consignor provided the invoice and description of interventions, but also the original correspondence with Pisa underlining the fact that the original dial would be given back to the client.

    This underlines the importance of the client: not only Rolex does not agree to selling their dials to anyone - especially vintage dials such as the present one - but they are even more strict about the restitution of the original dials to clients. Furthermore, the present dial with black Arabic numerals is much more rare than the already very scarce version with blue Arabic numerals. A small stylistic difference which however has a remarkable impact on the timepiece as it imparts it a fully monochromatic black and white attire. With only hints of wear, the case is preserved in excellent condition with crisp and legible hallmarks beneath the lugs, all original factory finishes, both dials are flawless, and the watch is accompanied by its original box and Rolex Garantie. An additional exotic touch to this remarkable watch can be found on the Garantie: it was sold in Portofino on December 29, 2004.

  • 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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Σ6

Ref. 116589, inside caseback stamped "2119"
A highly uncommon and breathtakingly dazzling and attractive white gold chronograph wristwatch with baguette diamond-set bezel, diamond pavé dial with black Arabic numerals, additional black dial with diamond-set indexes and additional hands, guarantee and Pisa correspondence

2004
40mm Diameter
Case, dials, movement, clasp and straps signed

Estimate
CHF60,000 - 120,000 
€62,500-125,000
$68,500-137,000

Sold for CHF95,250

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