Released outside of the catalog, this luxurious quartet with vibrant dials is sure to interest serious collectors.
Outside the Watches & Wonders exhibition, Rolex presented one of the most unconventional releases of the year. This is a series of 4 Cosmograph Daytona models released outside of the catalog. They are united by cases made of precious metals and vibrant dials enhanced by colorful gemstones.
The warmest palette in this series belongs to the model with a yellow gold case (Ref. 126598TML). The watch features a champagne-colored dial, framed by a bezel set with green sapphires. It looks luxurious but not ostentatious. The green sapphires provide enough color contrast to enliven the dial without overwhelming it. The picture is completed by diamonds on the lugs and the crown guards.
The model with the most unusual color combination is the version with a white gold case (Ref.126599SAVL). The combination of green and purple is rarely seen in the Rolex catalog, especially with purple sapphires. The cool white gold fits perfectly into this color combination. The result is somewhat detached and restrained, yet devilishly attractive.
The most expressive in this quartet is the model with the Everose alloy case (Ref.126595SARO). It has a turquoise dial and pink counters. The bezel is set with pink sapphires, matching the counters, which are also used as hour markers. It turned out playful but not frivolous. These are the kind of watches that usually provoke mixed reactions from the public.
The fourth model in the collection (Ref.126596SABV) is the most luxurious. It features a platinum case and a dial made of opal, which changes color depending on the lighting. Combined with platinum, the effect is even more striking than if the watch were presented in gold. The bezel is set with sapphires of various shades, meaning no two pieces of this model will be alike.
In all other respects, these are classic Rolex Daytona watches with a 40mm case, equipped with an Oyster bracelet. They were presented in Geneva without a loud advertising campaign, emphasizing their off-catalog nature and target audience of a very narrow segment of collectors for whom the exclusive nature of watches is not marketing but a basic expectation.
According to some reports (information from WatchAnalytics), the total cost of this set is CHF 3.6 million or $4.8 million.
Photo: WatchAnalytics