Rolex - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XI Hong Kong Saturday, November 28, 2020 | Phillips

Create your first list.

Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.

  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 2000
    Reference No: 116520
    Case No: P421’525
    Model Name: Cosmograph Daytona "Mustard Dial"
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 4130, 44 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet, max length 200mm
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 40mm diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex guarantee dated 8th September 2001 stamped Heller Jewelers, instruction manual, product literature, 2000-2001 calendar card, green passport holder, outer packaging and fitted presentation box.
    Provenance: The present example is the exact timepiece that is featured in the Pucci Papaleo’s “Ultimate Rolex Daytona” book page 71.

  • Provenance

    The present example is the exact timepiece that is featured in the Pucci Papaleo’s “Ultimate Rolex Daytona” book page 71.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Introduced in 2000, the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona ref. 116520 was an important milestone for the firm bearing for the first time the very first in-house self-winding chronograph movement cal. 4130 manufactured by Rolex. Replacing its predecessor ref. 16520, the new model also had its own charms in various examples, especially early ones featuring a white dial.

    With anything that is manmade, even a prestigious manufacturer such as Rolex with extremely strict quality control protocols can also make mistakes. Between 2000 and 2002, examples fitted with white dials with either serials P,K and Y were known to have developed a change in hue of the dial to “cream” over time due to a natural defect of the varnish used. Resulting in what can be described as a “beautiful mistake”, examples featuring this colour changing trait are very rare and highly sought after in the market as it altered the whole appearance of the watch giving it a heightened vintage appeal. Developed over time in random manner, every example is perhaps different from one another as the intensity of the hue can vary.

    The present example Rolex Cosmograph Daytona ref. 116520 with a “mustard” dial belongs an early example of the reference with a P serial from circa 2000. Separating itself from the rest, the present example has developed an intensified change in colour of the dial. Well-preserved, the present example is further accompanied by its original guarantee and presentation box.

  • 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

Property from an important European collector

866

Ref. 116520
A very fine and rare stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with “mustard” dial, bracelet, guarantee and presentation box

Circa 2000
40mm diameter
Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed

Estimate
HK$380,000 - 780,000 
€41,000-84,100
$48,700-100,000

Sold for HK$1,701,000

Contact Specialist

Thomas Perazzi

Head of Watches, Asia
+852 2318 2001

WatchesHK@phillips.com

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XI

Hong Kong Auction 29 November 2020