Manufacturer: Rolex Year: Circa 2017 Reference No: 116519LN Case No: 1R162510 Model Name: Cosmograph Daytona Material: 18K white gold Calibre: Automatic, cal.4130, 31 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Rolex Oysterflex strap, max length 185mm Clasp/Buckle: 18K white gold Rolex deployant clasp Dimensions: 40mm diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex guarantee dated 13th November 2017 stamped by retailer Oriental Watch Co. Ltd, green card holder, hang tag, numbered hang tag, product literatures, purchase invoice, fitted presentation box.
Catalogue Essay
Since its inception in 1963, the Daytona has developed slowly but surely. From the original hand wound movement to an automatic one; from tritium to the superior Rolex Chromalight, the Daytona has never stopped evolving. Despite changes to virtually every single component, Rolex Daytonas of old and new are united by being the superlative chronographs of each generation.
The present lot, a white gold Daytona 116519LN, is a culmination of all of Rolex’s developments until its launch in 2017. In addition to the automatic movement and Chromalight mentioned, this watch features an imperishable Cerachrom bezel, a parachrom overcoiled hairspring for accuracy and an Oysterflex bracelet for comfort. However, the most remarkable feature of this watch compared to non-precious metal references is perhaps hidden in plain sight: the white gold case on this Daytona is forged from Rolex’s very own foundry, allowing it to create its proprietary gold alloys and to achieve a quality and consistency that no other watch manufactures can claim.
For a gold watch that boasts all these impressive innovations, this Daytona is extremely understated and enjoyable to wear. It is for the ladies and gentlemen who understand the values of subtlety, comfort and practicality. This present lot is in fantastic condition and comes with all 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.
