News

Dazzling Daytonas at the October Auction

30 September 2022

When it comes to collecting watches, there is arguably no more sought after and desirable timepieces than the Rolex Daytona. The king of the chronographs since 1963, the watch has evolved, been refined and worn many faces but always stayed true to its roots. The word icon is a word that is overused, but it is truly fitting for the crown’s Cosmograph. At Monaco Legend Group, the Daytona is an important and perennial presence in both our Exclusive Timepieces auctions and our Private Sales. We have always endeavored to source the very finest examples to offer to you, our valued clients and friends, and this October’s Exclusive Timepieces sale is no exception. We have curated some of the best examples of vintage and modern era Rolex Daytonas and we are excited to share a selection of them with you here.

Rolex began making chronographs as early as the 1930s, but the watches that would ultimately become the Daytona began appearing in the 1950s, as Oyster-cased chronographs. The true Pre-Daytonas were launched at the beginning of the 1960s as reference 6238, a 36 mm, three register chronograph, with the tachymeter scale on the dial. Then in 1963, the Daytona was born with the unveiling of the reference 6239 Cosmograph Daytona. The main difference between this and previous Oyster chronographs was the presence of a tachymeter bezel, which replaced the dial-based tachymeter that had been in use for the decades before. The manual wind Daytonas continued to be made until 1988 and were available with either a steel tachymeter bezel or black plastic tachymeter.

In 1988 Rolex unveiled the Cosmograph’s new era, with the Daytona Perpetual. The new Daytona had a larger case, sapphire crystal, crown guards and, most importantly, an automatic movement. For the first 12 years of its life, the Daytona Perpetual was fitted with a modified Zenith El Primero movement. It was these watches that began the phenomenon of the waiting list, which has never ceased for the Daytona. In 2000 Rolex introduced the in-house movement, calibre 4130, which is still in use today. Where the manual wind watches were, primarily, sports utility watches, with the Daytona Perpetual Rolex began extensively gem setting the cases and using different stones and gems on the dials.

Please enjoy this selection that we have prepared for you and please do not hesitate to contact us for more information on any of the featured lots.

We hope to see you in Monaco for the sales on October 22nd and 23rd!

Lot 8 - Highly Exclusive, Very Impressive and Attractive, Daytona, Automatic Chronograph Wristwatch, in White Gold, Full Diamond-Pavè, Blue Enamel Roman Number Dial and Rare Sapphire-Set Bezel, Reference 116589SACI, With Box and Papers – Estimate: € 120,000 – 240,000 – View lot detail
Lot 146 - Absolutely Magnificent and Precious, Eye of the Tiger Daytona, Automatic Wristwatch in Yellow Gold, Reference 116588TBR, With Box, Papers, Booklets, and Tag – Estimate: € 170,000 – 340,000 – View lot detail
Lot 155 - Outstanding and Attractive, Daytona Cosmograph, Automatic Wristwatch in Steel, With Porcelain Dial Displaying “Floating” Logo, Reference 16520, Box and Papers – Estimate: € 120,000 – 240,000 – View lot detail
Lot 172 - Stunning and Extremely Precious, Daytona, Automatic Chronograph Wristwatch in White Gold, With Very Rare Chrysoprase Green Beach Dial, Reference 116509, With Rolex Service – Estimate: € 50,000 – 100,000 – View lot detail
Lot 193 - Very Well Preserved and Extremely Rare, Daytona, Chronograph Wristwatch in Steel, With Black Paul Newman “Musketeer” Dial, Reference 6262, Kept in a Private Collection for Over 30 Years – Estimate: € 140,000 – 280,000 – View lot detail
Lot 230 - Extremely Well Preserved and Very Rare, Daytona “John Player Special”, Chronograph Wristwatch in Yellow Gold, With “Paul Newman” Dial, Reference 6264 – Estimate: € 1,000,000 – 2,000,000 – View lot detail
Lot 257 - Absolutely Exceptional, Rare and Very Attractive, Daytona, Chronograph Wristwatch in Yellow Gold, With Diamond-Emerald Set Dial and Baguette Diamond Bezel, Reference 16568, Published in Pucci Papaleo’s Book “Daytona Perpetual”, With Confirmation Letter, Box and Warranty – Estimate: € 200,000 – 400,000 – View lot detail
Lot 271 - Incredibly Rare, Outstanding and Possibly Unique, Daytona Cosmograph, Wristwatch in 14K Yellow Gold, With White Graphic, Three Linen, Retailed by Tiffany & Co, Reference 6265, With Rolex Watch Service Receipts – Estimate: € 450,000 – 900,000 – View lot detail