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948

Rolex

Ref. 116598RBOW

Cosmograph Daytona “Rainbow”

A very fine, attractive and rare yellow gold diamond and rainbow-colored sapphire-set chronograph wristwatch with bracelet, guarantee and box

Estimate
HK$1,400,000 - 1,800,000
€153,000 - 196,000
$179,000 - 231,000
HK$1,750,000
Lot Details
Manufacturer
Rolex
Year
Circa 2012
Reference No
116598RBOW
Model Name
Cosmograph Daytona “Rainbow”
Material
18K yellow gold, diamond and multi-colored sapphire
Calibre
Automatic, cal. 4130, 44 jewels
Bracelet/Strap
18K yellow gold Rolex Oyster bracelet, max length 200mm
Clasp/Buckle
18K yellow gold Rolex Oyster deployant clasp
Dimensions
40mm diameter
Signed
Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed
Accessories
Further accompanied by undated Rolex guarantee card, outer packaging and fitted presentation box.
Catalogue Essay
Bedazzled with multi-colored sapphire-set bezel, the Rolex ref. 116598RBOW is named the “Rainbow” with no surprise. Rolex has always been at the forefront when it comes to incorporating new materials to be featured in a timepiece. In this case, the notable feature is without a doubt the multi-colored sapphire-set bezel. Precisely cherry picked by Rolex gemologists, each and every colored sapphire selected to form and mimic the spectrum of the rainbow in graduation requires a rigorous process. The tones range from a vibrant and intense deep red morphed into warm zesty orange, shades of green, blue and purple.

Extremely meticulous and tough to execute, the gem-setting requires each individual gemstone to be cut to the exact measurements to ensure a perfect fit on the bezel. As a result, the ref. 116598RBOW is extremely rare with only a handful of examples manufactured every year. Introduced in 2012, the first iteration of the reference is encased in yellow gold. In the following year, a white gold example was launched and in recent times the latest iteration of the reference was introduced 2018 encased in pink gold.

The present example is a well-preserved specimen in yellow gold. Accompanied by the original guarantee and presentation box, the present discontinued model is a delight for lovers of gem-set timepieces and will definitely please the discerned collector of fine timepieces.

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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