Manufacturer: Rolex Year: Circa 2019 Reference No: 116508 Case No: 3K'2U0'854 Model Name: Cosmograph Daytona Material: 18K yellow gold Calibre: Automatic, cal. 4130, 44 jewels Bracelet/Strap: 18K yellow gold Rolex Oyster bracelet, max length 205mm Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Rolex Oyster deployant clasp Dimensions: 40mm diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex guarantee stamped Kooheji Store Saudi Arabia dated 27th February 2019, hang tags, instruction manual, product literature, green card holder, fitted presentation box and outer packaging.
Catalogue Essay
Released at Baselworld 2016, the Rolex Daytona ref. 116508 was the first Daytona model in yellow gold to feature the firm’s signature emerald green color on its dial. Launched together with its white gold counterpart with a blue dial, collectors have grown to admire the flamboyant example in yellow gold. After appearing on an episode of a talk show where it was witnessed in the collection of famed singer and formidable watch collector, John Mayer.
Extremely hard or close to impossible to acquire from the boutique with an ever-long waiting list, the ref. 116508 has become arguably the most sought-after Daytona in the market today. The present example from circa 2019 is a very well-preserved example and retains its partial factory sticker on the caseback and clasp. Complete with its full set of accessories, this is with no doubt a fantastic opportunity for collectors to acquire this rare and desirable timepiece.
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.