Rolex - The Geneva Watch Auction: XVIII Geneva Friday, November 3, 2023 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 2012
    Reference No: 116598RBOW
    Case No: 518055K1
    Model Name: Cosmograph Daytona “Rainbow”
    Material: 18K yellow gold, diamond and multi-colored sapphire
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 4130, 44 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: 18K yellow gold Rolex Oyster bracelet, max length 200mm
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Rolex Oyster deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 40mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by undated Rolex guarantee card stamped Nymans Ur, outer packaging and fitted presentation box.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Bedazzled with multi-colored sapphire-set bezel, the Rolex ref. 116598RBOW is named the “Rainbow” with no surprise. Rolex has always been at the forefront when it comes to incorporating new materials to be featured in a timepiece. In this case, the notable feature is without a doubt the multi-colored sapphire-set bezel. Precisely cherry picked by Rolex gemologists, each and every colored sapphire selected to form and mimic the spectrum of the rainbow in graduation requires a rigorous process. The tones range from a vibrant and intense deep red morphed into warm zesty orange, shades of green, blue and purple.

    Extremely meticulous and tough to execute, the gem-setting requires each individual gemstone to be cut to the exact measurements to ensure a perfect fit on the bezel. As a result, the ref. 116598RBOW is extremely rare with only a handful of examples manufactured every year. Introduced in 2012, the first iteration of the reference is encased in yellow gold. In the following year, a white gold example was launched and in recent times the latest iteration of the reference was introduced 2018 encased in pink gold.

    The present example is a well-preserved specimen in yellow gold. Accompanied by the original guarantee and presentation box, the present discontinued model is a delight for lovers of gem-set timepieces and will definitely please the discerned collector of fine timepieces.

  • 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. 116598RBOW
A very fine, attractive and rare yellow gold diamond and rainbow-colored sapphire-set chronograph wristwatch with bracelet, guarantee and box

Circa 2012
40mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed

Estimate
CHF180,000 - 360,000 
€187,000-374,000
$198,000-396,000

Sold for CHF304,800

Contact Specialist

Alexandre Ghotbi
Deputy Chairman, Watches, Head of Watches, Europe, and Middle East

+41 79 637 17 24
AGhotbi@phillips.com

Tiffany To
Head of Sale, Geneva

+41 79 460 55 88
TiffanyTo@phillips.com

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The Geneva Watch Auction: XVIII

Geneva Auction 3 - 4 November 2023