Rolex - The Geneva Watch Auction: XI Geneva Sunday, June 28, 2020 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 2001
    Reference No: 116519
    Case No: K637759
    Model Name: Cosmograph Daytona "Beach"
    Material: 18K white gold
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 4130, 44 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Rolex lizard
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K white gold Rolex deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 40mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement, strap and clasp signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex Guarantee card, product literature, green document holder, additional black leather strap, additional a mint condition additional lizard yellow Rolex strap in Rolex protective sleeve, fitted presentation box and outer packaging

  • Catalogue Essay

    For a very short time in the early 2000s, Rolex produced one of the most surprising, attractive and unusual variations of the Cosmograph Daytona: the so-called "Daytona Beach". It was released in four different colors. As it often happens with many appreciated models in Rolex’s rich history, these pieces were originally regarded with a mix of surprise and amazement to their iconoclastic looks, but not much warmth. Only in recent years their undisputed beauty has been truly rediscovered and appreciated, making them not only one of the most collectible modern Daytona models, but also one of the most wearable indeed due to their carefree and playful appeal. Once again, Rolex proved themselves not only capable of anticipating fashion trends, but also brave enough to actually put such daring ideas to the test of the market. Such a situation will be repeated with uncanny similarity, about a decade and a half later, when the House introduced the “Rainbow” Daytona.

    The present yellow example is a rare opportunity for the collector: offered complete of its sale kit but especially in absolutely unused condition, still bearing unmarred its green factory sticker.

  • 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.

    View More Works

Σ105

Ref. 116519
A rare, unusual and extremely attractive white gold automatic chronograph wristwatch with yellow mother-of-pearl dial, Guarantee and box

Circa 2001
40mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement, strap and clasp signed

Estimate
CHF25,000 - 50,000 
€23,200-46,400
$27,300-54,600

Sold for CHF45,000

Contact Specialist

Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Watches, Continental Europe and the Middle East

41 79 637 1724
aghotbi@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: XI

Geneva Auction 27 - 28 June 2020