Rolex - The New York Watch Auction: EIGHT New York Saturday, June 10, 2023 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 2007
    Reference No: 116769TBR
    Movement No: 1'944'719
    Case No: M’025’020
    Model Name: GMT-Master II “Ice”
    Material: 18K white gold, diamonds
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 3186, 31 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: 18K white gold diamond-set Rolex Oyster bracelet, max overall approx. length 220mm
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K white gold diamond-set hidden deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 40mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement, and bracelet signed.
    Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex international guarantee card dated April 18th, 2014, fitted presentation box, and outer box.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Despite the 100m water resistance on this Rolex GMT-Master II reference 116769TBR, one would be cautioned against wearing it for diving or even casual swimming in the ocean, as the glimmering and glinting gold and diamonds would certainly attract hungry predators. Set with over 30 carats of flawless round-cut diamonds, as well as invisible-set baguette diamonds to the bezel and center links of the bracelet, this lavish GMT-Master II fittingly earned the nickname “Ice” upon its release in 2007. Now discontinued with extremely limited production, no other example of the reference has previously appeared at auction, reiterating its rarity and exclusivity.

    The only surfaces free of diamonds are the edges of the bezel, the crown, and the reverse of the case and bracelet. Otherwise, diamonds reign supreme on the majority of the visible surfaces of the 116769TBR. The ultimate flagship, most expensive Rolex ever at the time of its release, it maintained that distinction for over a decade, being upstaged in the past few years by some off-catalogue Rolex offerings. Blackened white gold surrounds on the handset give legibility to the dial, which is complemented by aquatic, wavy pavé stripes. Unusual and rarely seen in Rolex gem-set watches, even the sides of the bracelet are pavé diamond-set as well.

    Weighing just over half a pound, in exceptional condition and with its original guarantee and boxes, the GMT-Master “Ice” is a wearable feast for the eyes, splendidly extravagant and unabashedly luxurious.

  • 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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Ο107

Ref. 116769TBR
An extravagant, highly exclusive, and well-preserved white gold and diamond-set dual time wristwatch with date, bracelet, guarantee, and presentation box

Circa 2007
40mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement, and bracelet signed.

Estimate
$250,000 - 500,000 
CHF225,000-450,000
€231,000-462,000
HK$1,950,000-3,910,000
S$336,000-672,000

Sold for $444,500

Contact Specialist

Paul Boutros
Head of Watches, Americas
+1 (212) 940-1293
WatchesNY@Phillips.com
 
Isabella Proia
Head of Sale, New York
+1 (212) 940 1285
iproia@phillips.com

The New York Watch Auction: EIGHT

New York Auction 10 - 11 June 2023