Rolex - Phillips Watches Online Auction: The Geneva Sessions Spring 2025 Geneva Wednesday, March 5, 2025 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 2000
    Reference No: 116519
    Movement No: C0015450
    Case No: P950705
    Model Name: Cosmograph Daytona
    Material: 18k white gold, sodalite and diamonds
    Calibre: Automatic, caliber 4130, 44 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: 18k white gold Rolex deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 40mm diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and clasp signed

  • Catalogue Essay

    - Introduced in 2000, the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona ref. 116519 is the white gold counterpart of the stainless steel ref. 116520, which was equipped with Rolex’s first in-house self-winding chronograph caliber 4130. Considered as an upgrade from its previous Zenith El Primero based cal. 4030, the new movement enhances its precision by incorporating a vertical clutch instead of a lateral clutch used in the old caliber. Furthermore, the cal. 4130 reduces stress on the movement as it has 60% fewer components than the cal. 4030 with only 201 separate parts.

    - Preserved in excellent and impressive condition, the present reference 116519 is most notably fitted with a blue sodalite dial that does not display any cracks. Most sodalite examples today have fissures on the dial due to their delicate nature. However, this example is intact and smooth throughout. Rolex is particularly imaginative and innovative in its use of hard stone, and the present timepiece is no exception.

    - This example is fascinating as the outside case back is punched with Rolex France’s logo.

  • 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. 116519
A rare and highly attractive white gold automatic chronograph wristwatch with sodalite dial and diamond-set numerals

Circa 2000
40mm diameter
Case, dial, movement and clasp signed

Estimate
CHF15,000 - 30,000 
€15,900-31,900
$16,700-33,400

Sold for CHF44,450

Contact Specialist

Alexandre Ghotbi
Deputy Chairman, Watches, Head of Watches, Europe, and Middle East
aghotbi@phillips.com
+41 22 317 81 81
 

Tiffany To
Head of Sale, Watches Geneva
tto@phillips.com
+41 22 317 96 63
 

Phillips Watches Online Auction: The Geneva Sessions Spring 2025

5 - 12 March 2025