Rolex - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: X Hong Kong Friday, July 10, 2020 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 2013
    Reference No: 116599RBOW
    Case No: 8303L6V6
    Model Name: Cosmograph Daytona “Rainbow”
    Material: 18K white gold, diamonds and multi-colored sapphires
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 4130, 44 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: 18K white gold Rolex Oyster bracelet, max length 190mm
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K white gold Rolex Oyster deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 40mm diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed
    Accessories: Further accompanied by Rolex guarantee dated 26th September 2013 stamped Tai Hing Watch Co., LTD, Hong Kong, service mondial, green card holder, outer packaging and fitted presentation box.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Known mostly for producing some of the most iconic professional tool watches of our time, Rolex has also gained a supreme status for incorporating precious materials to their horological masterpieces. With immense research, development and design, Rolex never fails to impress when it comes to gem-set timepieces. With technical mastery in setting the highest quality of diamonds and gemstones, the rigorous process of sorting and selecting the finest examples is perhaps the most expensive and time consuming aspect.

    Introduced in 2012, the first examples were encased in yellow gold with white gold examples introduced later. Until today, Rolex only introduced the model in three case materials with its latest introduction encased in pink gold.

    The present example encased in white gold features a desirable “glossy” black dial with diamond-set indexes and meteorite registers providing a harmonious correlation between the unique texture of the registers and its shimmering diamond-set white gold case. Deemed as the “Rainbow”, the multi-colored sapphire-set bezel is noticeable from afar. Achieved by selecting the finest examples of sapphires in various spectrums of the rainbow, it requires each and every stone to be cut to extreme perfection with every stone matching the color requirements of Rolex. With such rigorous requirement to create the perfect masterpiece, only a handful of examples are produced by Rolex each year. Discontinued and replaced by the new model in pink gold, the present example is most definitely rare.

    Preserved in excellent overall condition, the present specimen is hardly ever worn by the previous owner. Furthermore, the timepiece was sold by a local Hong Kong retailer in 2013, confirmed by the guarantee card. It is a fantastic opportunity for collectors, lovers and seekers of gem-set wristwatches to acquire perhaps the most iconic gem-set wristwatch of our time manufactured by none other than Rolex.

  • 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

935

Ref. 116599RBOW
An extremely rare and attractive white gold, diamond and rainbow-colored sapphire-set chronograph wristwatch with bracelet, guarantee and box

Circa 2013
40mm diameter
Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed

Estimate
HK$1,400,000 - 2,000,000 
€153,000-218,000
$179,000-256,000

Sold for HK$1,750,000

Contact Specialist

Thomas Perazzi

Head of Watches, Asia
+852 2318 2001

WatchesHK@phillips.com

 

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: X

Hong Kong Auction 10 July 2020