Manufacturer: Rolex Year: Circa 2005 Reference No: 116589SALV Movement No: C0184786 Case No: D801575 Model Name: Cosmograph Daytona Material: 18K white gold, diamonds and purple sapphires 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
Catalogue Essay
Rolex is incredibly imaginative in its use of precious materials. It has adorned its sports models with a variety of materials ranging from emeralds, rubellite, pavé work and even meteorite.
Heavy and luxurious, the present watch is fitted with a beautiful pavé diamond dial with sapphire-set numerals, which has been preserved in excellent condition throughout the years. The bezel is also set with violet sapphires. Powered by the Rolex in-house caliber 4130, it is an incredible testament to Rolex's precision and flair for design.
Worn sparingly, the case is preserved in excellent condition with crisp and legible hallmarks beneath the lugs.
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.