Manufacturer: Rolex Year: Circa 2003 Reference No: 116598SARO Movement No: C0’023’048 Case No: P198’850, inside caseback stamped “16500” Model Name: Cosmograph Daytona Material: 18K yellow gold, diamonds, rubies and pink sapphires Calibre: Automatic, cal. 4130, 44 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Crocodile Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Rolex deployant clasp Dimensions: 40mm diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement, strap and clasp signed. Accessories: Accompanied with Rolex guarantee dated November 2005 stamped Simon, Mönchengladbach Germany, 2000-2001 calendar card, green card holder, instruction manual, hang tag, numbered hang tag, leather folder with notepads, fitted presentation box and outer packaging.
Catalogue Essay
Dazzling at first sight, the present Rolex Cosmograph Daytona will impress anyone with its striking gem-set appearance. While most would think that the ref. 116598 was first launched in 2003 via the "Leopard", the present example with a "P" series bearing the same reference number was certainly launched first. Extremely rare, it is believed that the present example was only offered to important clients of Rolex at the time of its launch in 2000 at the Basel Fair.
Adorned with 36 baguette-cut pink sapphires set uniformly on the bezel with grace, the technical prowess with rigorous standard in quality is a sight to behold. The hoods between the lugs are also embellished with brilliant rows of diamonds. Encapsulated among these opulent decorations, the dial is further fitted with an iced-out diamond-set dial with 8 beautiful hour markers set in rubies with yellow gold surrounds. While most examples of the reference in yellow gold featured gold chronographic registers, the present example features a silver register dial that was born originally with the present timepiece and is further confirmed by the discovery of the second example featuring the same reference and dial configuration as the present. Referenced 116598SARO, "SARO" is Rolex's code for "baguette-cut rose sapphire" for the bezel.
Now discontinued, the flawless gem-set Rolex Daytona has become an incredibly collectible of high rarity. Extremely rare configuration with only one other example ever appeared in the market, the present darling with its good looks bears a never seen before combination with astute personality, perhaps this was a property of a distinguished lady and tastemaker at the time, the present timepiece fashioning with a matching pink Rolex strap is preserved in an attractive condition, and is blessed with its full accessories.
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.
