Rolex - The 2021 New York Watch Auction New York Saturday, December 11, 2021 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 2003
    Reference No: 116520
    Case No: F584105
    Model Name: Cosmograph Daytona
    Material: Steel stainless
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 4130, 44 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet, max length 230mm
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex deployant clasp, reference 78490, stamped CL9
    Dimensions: 40mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and clasp signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex guarantee dated December 21, 2004, green leather presentation box, hang tags, leather wallet, product literature, and outer packaging

  • Catalogue Essay

    Rolex’s Daytona Cosmograph has a long history beginning in the middle of the 20th century when “tool” wristwatches were offered by a number of manufacturers with a variety of complications ranging from dive and dual-time watches to chronographs. Rolex’s first Daytona was the reference 6239 released in 1963, and over the ensuing decades, the model evolved in to one of the most iconic and cherished wristwatches today. A revolutionary change occurred in 1988 with the release of the Daytona reference 16520 featuring a heavily modified version of Zenith’s El Primero movement. The first self-winding chronograph model in the history of the company resulted in unprecedented demand that required clients to wait as long as seven years to purchase one. Its ease of use, accuracy, and a larger, sportier design added to the Daytona’s desirability.

    In 2000, the next revolutionary change occurred when Rolex released the reference 116520 now sporting the brand’s first, fully in-house chronograph movement, the caliber 4130. The present “F” series example from 2003 is in absolutely new condition with all factory stickers perfectly intact and comes complete with all of its original accessories. The Daytona is a historic chronograph, and this is an extremely rare opportunity to own a truly “new-old-stock” example that has remained unworn for the last 18 years.

  • 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.

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159

Ref. 116520
A rare new-old-stock stainless steel chronograph with bracelet, guarantee, hang tags, and presentation box

Circa 2003
40mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and clasp signed

Estimate
$10,000 - 15,000 
CHF9,300-13,900
€8,900-13,300
HK$78,000-117,000

Sold for $50,400

Contact Specialist

Paul Boutros

Head of Watches, Americas

+1 (212) 940-1293

WatchesNY@Phillips.com

 

The 2021 New York Watch Auction

New York Auction 11 - 12 December 2021