Ref. 116595RBOWA very rare, highly attractive and extremely unusual pink gold, diamond and sapphire-set automatic chronograph wristwatch with bracelet, guarantee and presentation box
Manufacturer: Rolex
Year: 2018
Reference No: 116595RBOW
Movement No: 55'629'867
Case No: 336435R5
Model Name: Cosmograph Daytona "Rainbow"
Material: 18K pink gold, diamonds and sapphires
Calibre: Automatic, cal. 4130, 44 jewels
Bracelet/Strap: 18K pink gold Rolex Oyster bracelet
Clasp/Buckle: 18K pink gold Rolex deployant clasp
Dimensions: 40mm Diameter
Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed
Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex Guarantee card dated August 1, 2018, green card holder, product literature, numbered sale tag, plastic bezel protection ring, fitted presentation box and outer packaging.Rolex is famous for the creation of iconic timepieces such as the Submariner or the GMT, but what is often overlooked is the surprisingly brave choices occasionally displayed throughout the years - models which at the time of their introduction were considered either “publicity stunts” or more simply bad designs.
In virtue of their rarity, these have often risen to become some of the most collectible watches to have ever been made. Examples from the past include models with the exotic “Paul Newman” dial, the first gold Daytona, and the diamond-set Daytona ref. 6269 and 6270, models that pushed the category of the luxury sports watch into uncharted territory. Also the plethora of unusual dial variation of the Day-Date (coral, lapis lazuli, malachite, fossil, marble, wood, etc…) illustrates the concept well, as do the first multi-colored gem-set examples that began to appear in the 1970s, and the more modern Daytona “Leopard”. All these are equally attractive and outlandish.
The rainbow Daytona is the current-day embodiment of this experimental vocation. White gold and yellow gold versions have been released in extremely low quantities in 2012 and while at first more than a few eyebrows were raised, it took only a few years for these watches to become the most sought-after and collectible serially produced Daytona models made since the discontinuation of the manual version in 1988. The output for these two models was extremely scarce, and production was soon halted, it appears because of the difficulty of sourcing appropriately colored stones.
This year at Baselworld the wishes of the Rolex community were granted and a pink gold version was finally released. It immediately became one of the most sought-after contemporary timepieces, virtually impossible to find at retailers. Phillips is honored to be the first auction house to offer this watch publicly.
