Manufacturer: Rolex Year: 2010 Reference No: 116599TBR Case No: D122945 Model Name: Cosmograph Daytona Material: 18K white gold, diamonds and mother-of-pearl Calibre: Automatic, cal. 4130, 44 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Alligator Clasp/Buckle: 18K white gold Rolex deployant clasp Dimensions: 40mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and clasp signed Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex guarantee dated January 05, 2010, product literature, wallet, presentation box and outer packaging.
Catalogue Essay
It is incredible how a brand better known for its tool watches also makes some of the most delicately gem-set timepieces available on the market. During the 1980s, Rolex adorned tool watches with precious gems for its most exclusive and demanding clientele, ranging from Sultans in the Middle East to industry titans. Rolex in particular excels in sourcing and setting gemstones. Today, gem-set sports watches have come to represent the pinnacle of sports watch collecting.
Bedazzled with baguette-cut diamonds on the bezel and brilliant-cut diamonds on the lugs and dial, the watch is also fitted with a mother-of-pearl dial that adds to the splendour. Reference 116599TBR most notably has diamonds on the hooded lugs, which gives a slight design twist on the classic Cosmograph Daytona.
In excellent condition, rarely a sports watch has been embellished with such opulence.
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.