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Daytona World: MLG Celebrates 60 Years of Rolex’s Sports Chronograph

12 April 2023

Monaco Legend Group is excited to share a number of spectacular, rare and highly desirable Rolex Daytonas from the upcoming Exclusive Timepieces auction in Monaco on April 22nd and 23rd 2023. From world-class vintage examples to modern gem-set marvels and everything in between, the truly is something for all Cosmograph connoisseurs.

**Lot 10** — ROLEX, Absolutely Exceptional and Very Attractive, Daytona, Chronograph Wristwatch in Yellow Gold, With Champagne “Paul Newman” Dial, Reference 6239 – Estimate: **€ 500,000** – **1,000,000** – VIEW LOT

2023 marks six decades since Rolex introduced the Cosmograph Daytona. Arguably the most important sports chronograph ever made and unarguably the most highly sought after by collectors, The Daytona has become a brand within a brand. To celebrate the watch’s milestone anniversary, this year Rolex too the unprecedented step of replacing every watch in the collection with the latest version, all featuring the new calibre 4131 movement.

**Lot 170** — ROLEX, Highly Attractive and Iconic, Daytona Chronograph, Wristwatch in Steel, Silver Dial, Retailed by Tiffany & Co, Pucci Papaleo Expertise, Reference 6241 – Estimate: **€ 80,000** – **160,000** – VIEW LOT

In 1963, the watch was unveiled and was immediately targeted at adventurers of all disciplines; sailors for measuring speed, distance from shore and positioning, pilots and navigators who needed to check ground speeds and wind speeds, athletes, photographers, scientists and doctors and, of course, daring motor racers.

**Lot 108** — ROLEX, Sought after and Important, Daytona Chronograph, Wristwatch in Steel, With Cherry-Red Logo and Ghost Swiss, Reference 6239, Published in Pucci Papaleo’s Book “Ultimate Rolex Daytona” – Estimate: **€ 120,000 – 240,000** – VIEW LOT

The earliest watches featured pump, non-waterproof pushers and so were unable to be classed as Oysters. Soon, however, the watch was fitted with newly developed screw-down chronograph pushers and finally became known as the Oyster Cosmograph Daytona.

**Lot 33** — ROLEX, Highly Attractive and Very Rare, Daytona Chronograph, Wristwatch in Steel, “Solo Rolex” Black Matte Dial, Reference 6240, Published in Pucci Papaleo’s Book “Ultimate Rolex Daytona” With Confirming Letter by Pucci – Estimate: **€ 100,000 – 200,000** – VIEW LOT

**Lot 160** — ROLEX, Exceptional and Iconic, Daytona Cosmograph, Wristwatch in Yellow Gold, Black Dial, Red Khanjar Logo, Retailed by Asprey for the Sultanate of Oman, With Asprey Letter, Reference 6265 – Estimate: **€ 500,000 – 1,000,000** – VIEW LOT

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.

**Lot 64** — ROLEX, Extremely Rare and Luxurious, Daytona, Automatic Chronograph Wristwatch, in Yellow Gold, Champagne Dial, Retailed by Garrard & Co, Reference 16 528 – Estimate: **€ 60,000 – 120,000** – VIEW LOT

**Lot 76** — ROLEX, Highly Exclusive, Impressive and Attractive, Daytona, Automatic Chronograph in White Gold, Sapphire-Set Bezel, Full Diamond-Pavè and Sapphire Indexes Dial, Reference 16589SACI – Estimate: **€ 140,000 – 280,000** – VIEW LOT

In 2000 Rolex introduced the in-house movement, calibre 4130, which was in use until March 2023. 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.

**Lot 118** — ROLEX, Absolutely Magnificent and Precious, Daytona, Automatic Wristwatch in White Gold, Baguette Diamond-Set Bezel, Mother-of-Pearl Dial, Reference 116 589 – Estimate: **€ 80,000 – 160,000** – VIEW LOT

**Lot 253** — ROLEX, Lavish, Extraordinary and Absolutely Rare, Daytona, Automatic Wristwatch in White Gold, Pavè Diamond and Rubies Set Dial, Baguette Diamond and Ruby Bezel, With Box and Papers, Reference 1165994RU – Estimate: **€ 150,000 – 300,000** – VIEW LOT

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