172 Rolex Stunning and Extremely Precious, Daytona, Automatic Chronograph Wristwatch in White Gold, With Very Rare Chrysoprase Green Beach Dial, Reference 116 509, With Rolex Service

Estimate: €50,000 –⁠ 100,000

Model: Daytona
Reference: 116509
Case Material: White Gold
Bracelet Material: Leather Strap
Year: 2004
Movement: Automatic
Caliber: 4130
Case N°: F679857
Dimensions: 40 mm
Signed: Dial, Case and Movement
Accessories: Service

Over the years Rolex has and continues to experiment with many different dial designs with a variety of hard stones. Due to their fragile nature, many of these dials break during production which increases the manufacturing cost, so these watches are highly sought after by collectors like the present lot: the beach chrysoprase. Natural products are always unique and that is one of the alluring aspects of stone dials, in that each one is unique and therefore special for the owner. The Daytona Perpetual has been commercially available with five different hard stone dials — sodalite, grossular garnet, chrysoprase, turquoise and meteorite as well have a number of hues of mother-of-pearl. Reference 116 509 such as the present lot is powered by the automatic caliber 4130: unveiled in 2000, this is Rolex’s first in-house chronograph movement is the same also used in reference 116 520. Cased in fully white gold, which provides a luxurious touch to the tool watch, at a first glance it can appear subtly unassuming and heavy but at the same time is considered as one of the coolest ever produced. The 40 mm three body case is nice with screw down pushers and back. The Oyster bracelet is also in white gold is the perfect alchemy of form and function. This specimen features the so-called “Beach” dial with a green color, due to the chrysoprase stone, which was especially requested by an important Rolex’s costumer during a service. With applied white-gold radial Roman numerals indexes, subsidiary dials for the seconds, the 12- hour and 30-minute registers, outer red minute/seconds track, this rare dial is one of the coolest and charming. Offered in fair and distinctive conditions presenting sharp hallmarks beneath the lugs, this watch is also offered with a service Rolex made in 2019.