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

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: 2022
    Reference No: 116598TBR
    Movement No: 26'P5R'118
    Case No: 9M’527’704
    Model Name: Cosmograph Daytona “Eye of the Tiger”
    Material: 18K yellow gold, diamonds
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 4130, 44 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: 18K yellow gold Rolex Oyster bracelet, max overall approx. length 220mm
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Rolex deployant clasp, stamped RY5
    Dimensions: 40mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement, and bracelet signed.
    Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex international guarantee card dated June 14th, 2022, instruction manual, warranty manual, leather card holder, wax hang tag, fitted presentation box, and outer box.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Heir apparent to the infamous Cosmograph Daytona “Leopard” reference 116598 SACO, the 116598 TBR replaces the jungle-dwelling leopard with the largest of all living cats, the tiger (Panthera tigris). The beautiful tiger motif on the dial, rendered in diamond, gold cloisonné wire, and black lacquer, is augmented by an invisible-set diamond bezel totaling 4.58 carats and pavé diamond lugs. The overall effect is one of dazzling attractiveness, with the black-ringed gold subdials staring out of the tiger motif as if the tiger itself were gazing up at you. Not to be confused with the 116588 TBR offered only on an Oysterflex strap, the present 116598 on yellow gold bracelet was first introduced in 2021 quietly and only available to Rolex’s best clients.

    Though now discontinued from Rolex’s off-catalogue offerings, the reference 116598 TBR was the most recent offering in a long line of lavish, fabulous, and audacious offerings in yellow gold for this reference. Our research shows that only four iterations of the 116598 were produced: SARO (pink sapphires and diamonds, pink sapphire and pave dial), SACO (cognac sapphires and diamonds, leopard print dial), TBR (the present diamond bezel and diamond indexes with tiger motif dial), and RBOW (rainbow sapphires and diamonds). All discontinued now, the present so-called “Eye of the Tiger” Cosmograph Daytona is an alluring prospect and one to convince even the most ardent gem-set nay-sayers.

    Offered with its original guarantee and presentation box, it is beautifully preserved and offers a powerful presence on the wrist. Furthermore, the 116598TBR is a rare occurrence on the international auction market, having only been offered once previously.

  • 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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Ref. 116598TBR
A majestic, dazzling, and well-preserved yellow gold diamond-set chronograph wristwatch with tiger motif dial, bracelet, guarantee, certificate, and presentation box

2022
40mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement, and bracelet signed.

Estimate
$160,000 - 320,000 
CHF144,000-288,000
€148,000-296,000
HK$1,250,000-2,500,000
S$215,000-430,000

Sold for $266,700

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