Rolex - The Geneva Watch Auction: XIX featuring the Guido Mondani Collection Geneva Saturday, May 11, 2024 | Phillips

Create your first list.

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

  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: 2007
    Reference No: 116598SACO
    Case No: M245531
    Model Name: Cosmograph Daytona "Leopard"
    Material: 18K yellow gold, yellow sapphires and diamonds
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 4130, 44 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Rolex leather strap with "Leopard" print
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Rolex folding deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 40mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and clasp signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex guarantee dated September 2009, numbered tag, additional strap, product literature, wallet, presentation box and outer packaging. Furthermore accompanied by a copy of Rolex Daytona Self-Winding by Guido Mondani Editore.
    Literature: The present watch is illustrated in Rolex Daytona Self-Winding by Guido Mondani Editore, pages 308 and 309.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Introduced at Basel Fair in 2004, reference 116598 SACO immediately captured the eyes and hearts of Rolex fans. Set with diamond hour markers contrasting against a leopard print dial and strap, the watch was something entirely different than anything Rolex had conceived in the past. This print inspired the watch's nickname, "Leopard".

    The watch is adorned with 36 baguette-cut yellow sapphires on the bezel, which are completely uniform, set incredibly close together and matching, which technically is no easy feat. The hoods between the lugs are also embellished with brilliant diamonds.

    Presented in like-new condition with stickers on the caseband, caseback and clasp, this example is accompanied by its original guarantee, tag, presentation box and outer packaging.

    Gem-set, precious sports watches are becoming increasingly collectible today, due to their good looks and robust proportions. Conspicuous, bold and audacious, this watch is a completely novel and interesting interpretation of the Cosmograph Daytona, making a bold statement about both Rolex and the collector who dons the timepiece.

  • 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

From the Guido Mondani Collection

18

Ref. 116598SACO
A rare, impressive and like-new yellow gold, diamond and yellow sapphire-set chronograph wristwatch with guarantee and presentation box

2007
40mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and clasp signed

Estimate
CHF60,000 - 120,000 
€61,300-123,000
$65,600-131,000

Sold for CHF99,060

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

The Geneva Watch Auction: XIX featuring the Guido Mondani Collection

Geneva Auction 11 - 12 May 2024