953
Rolex
Ref. 126679SABR
Yacht-Master 40, “Cotton Candy”
A highly rare and attractive white gold and diamond-set wristwatch with center seconds, date, candy coloured-sapphire-set bezel, guarantee and presentation box
Full-Cataloguing
- Off-Catalogue and discontinued model
- Well-preserved example from 2024
- Attractive Cotton candy sapphire-set bezel
The phrase “off-catalogue” has always ignited excitement among discerning collectors. These elusive, “play-hard-to-get” masterpieces are exceptionally rare and exclusive, often adorned with the most captivating designs and materials, making them irresistible treasures in the world of haute horlogerie.
In 2022, the Rolex Yacht-Master 40 ref. 126679SABR earned its rightful place in the off-catalogue hall of fame. Crafted in luxurious 18k white gold and affectionately nicknamed “Cotton Candy,” this gem lives up to its whimsical moniker with breathtaking allure. Its bidirectional rotating bezel is a spectacle of artistry: meticulously set with trapezoidal baguette-cut sapphires in enchanting violet, pink, blue, and silver tones, interspersed with brilliant diamonds for a soft, pastel-hued glow reminiscent of spun sugar. The four lugs and crown guards are further embellished with pavé diamonds, creating a seamless, harmonious aesthetic that perfectly complements the candy-inspired bezel.
No longer in production, this exceptional “Cotton Candy” dates to 2024 just before discontinuation. It is preserved in outstanding overall condition thanks to the protective stickers thoughtfully applied by its previous owner.
Rolex
Swiss | 1905Founded 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.