Rare Platinum Rolex Daytona: Star of Upcoming Sotheby's Auction
Rare Rolex models attract the attention of collectors worldwide. In May, an extraordinary example will be auctioned in Geneva: a late 1990s platinum Rolex Daytona with a diamond dial.
Photo source: National Jeweler / Sotheby's
This May, a unique watch will be presented at the Sotheby's auction in Geneva – a Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Ref. 16516 from 1998. This one-of-a-kind model is crafted from platinum and features a mother-of-pearl dial set with ten diamonds.
The estimated price of this unique piece is from $850,000 to $1.7 million .
The model is notable for being one of the first platinum Daytonas with the Zenith El Primero automatic movement, before Rolex introduced its own caliber in 2000. Interestingly, it was custom-made for a private collector, at a time when the Daytona was typically only produced in steel or gold.
This is the last of four special pieces to appear on the auction market. Previous models, including versions with lapis lazuli and turquoise, have set record prices at Sotheby's auctions.
Benoît Colson of Sotheby's Geneva highlighted the uniqueness of the model with the following words:
"This is one of the most fascinating and rare Daytona models ever to come to auction. Its uniqueness and history make it a true collector's item."
