The valuable Rolex Daytona model was the main lot of the Sotheby's watch auction held in July in Hong Kong.
The auction lot with the highest estimate (4-8 million HKD) exceeded its initial estimate by six times and was sold for 25,375,000 HKD (3.27 million US dollars). Experts suggest that the presented model - Rolex Cosmograph Daytona features a Zenith movement and a rare automatic lapis lazuli hardstone dial, probably was created in a single copy.
Till the present time, watch historians do not know about analogs that have all the characteristics mentioned above.
The reference 16516 Rolex Daytona was manufactured in 1999. The model with a bright dial and 40 mm case is equipped with the 4030 Zenith movement, which caused an additional surge of interest among collectors. Platinum Daytona, combined with the Zenith caliber, is very rare. This model appeared on the market only once: it was sold at Sotheby's auction in 2018.
Watches presented in Hong Kong are a true masterpiece, and the use of lapis lazuli reinforces the uniqueness of all its features.
By the way, this lot was not the only one with the use of lapis lazuli presented at the Asian auction. The selection included three Patek Philippe women's watch models: Ref. 4290 yellow gold and lapis lazuli bracelet watch, Ref. 3727 with a stone dial framed by 54 diamonds, and Ref. 4398/4 – matched set of jewelry watch, ring, and a pair of earrings.