Rolex - Daytona Ultimatum Geneva Friday, May 11, 2018 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1988
    Reference No: 16528 "The Tiger Run"
    Movement No: 10’120
    Case No: R’833’586
    Model Name: Cosmograph Daytona
    Material: 18K yellow gold
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 4030, 31 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: 18K yellow gold Rolex Oyster bracelet, max. length 195mm
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Rolex deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 39.5mm diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex punched Guarantee, product literature, numbered sales tag, fitted presentation box and outer packaging.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Rolex’s first automatic Daytona was introduced in 1988. Housing the iconic Zenith-based caliber 4030, it featured a larger case and was fitted with a sapphire crystal. The watch immediately became a cult classic and garnered an immediate waiting list at Rolex retailers. The gold version reference 16528 was a luxurious alternative to its stainless steel counterpart reference 16520.

    First generation examples like the present watch displayed “Cosmograph” floating below “Rolex Oyster Perpetual Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified”. This variant is known as the “floating dial”. During the model’s initial production years, the dials were made with white lacquer. However, most probably due to economic reasons, very few were made. A “tell-tale” sign of ‘porcelain dials’ is the three-dimensional appearance of the black graphics and slightly off-white color of the background.

    This timepiece is fitted with an original early bezel, which is calibrated to 200 units. Still featuring the original case back sticker and exhibiting full proportions, the watch retains all its original accessories, such as the punched guarantee stating it was sold in Gstaad – a fitting location to don a luxurious and rare Cosmograph Daytona. It is also offered with a numbered sales tag and fitted presentation box.

  • 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. 16528 "The Tiger Run"
A rare, early and well-preserved yellow gold chronograph wristwatch with so-called ‘porcelain’ dial displaying ‘floating’ logo, guarantee, bracelet and fitted presentation box

Circa 1988
39.5mm diameter
Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed

Estimate
CHF50,000 - 100,000 

Sold for CHF162,500

Contact Specialist
Tiffany To
Head of Sale
+41 22 317 96 63
tto@phillips.com

Daytona Ultimatum

Geneva Auction 12 May 2018