Rolex doesn’t exactly struggle to make the Daytona desirable. Add unique gem-set configurations, charitable provenance and an auction room full of collectors, however, and things could get particularly tasty.
On 28 September, Phillips will auction four one-off Rolex Cosmograph Daytonas in London, with all proceeds going to the Federer Foundation and conservation organisation Re:wild.
Created as part of Rolex’s Perpetual Planet Initiative, the quartet takes inspiration from the four seasons, with each watch using a different combination of coloured gemstones, finishes and gem-setting techniques to evoke spring, summer, autumn and winter [as seen in the photo above, left to right].
Rolex has revealed relatively little about the watches beyond their seasonal theme, but the project offers a rare showcase for the brand’s more flamboyant side. The Daytona may have begun life as a motorsport chronograph, but gem-set examples have become some of the model’s most coveted modern iterations – particularly when Rolex decides to stray from the standard catalogue.
Spring combines an 18ct white-gold case with a chrysoprase dial and lepidolite counters, finished with purple sapphires and diamonds. Summer turns up the colour with an 18 ct Everose-gold case, turquoise dial and heart of ruby counters, complemented by pink sapphires and diamonds. Autumn brings together 18 ct yellow gold and a mookaite dial with chrysoprase counters, accented by green tourmalines and diamonds. And finally Winter pairs 950 platinum with a blue opal dial and lapis lazuli counters, alongside diamonds and a bezel set with sapphires graduating from blue to fuchsia.
The Spring Rolex Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona in 18ct white gold.
The Summer Rolex Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona in 18ct Everose gold.
The Autumn Rolex Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona in 18ct yellow gold.
The Winter Rolex Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona in 950 platinum.
There is some heavyweight star power behind the causes, too. The Federer Foundation, established by longtime Rolex ambassador Roger Federer, supports early education programmes for children across Southern Africa and Switzerland. Re:wild, co-founded by Leonardo DiCaprio, works to protect and restore threatened ecosystems around the world.
“True excellence is measured not only by the quality of our products, but also by the positive impact we can have on the world,” says Rolex CEO Jean-Frédéric Dufour.
The auction forms part of Rolex’s wider Perpetual Planet programme, which supports projects spanning conservation, exploration, ocean protection and wilderness preservation.
Four unique Daytonas, two very worthy beneficiaries and many extremely determined bidders. The funds may help our planet, but the final hammer prices will no doubt be out of this world.
If you’d like to bid remotely or have any questions about this event, contact CharityAuction@phillips.com.
