Rolex will offer four one-of-a-kind versions of its Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona at a charity auction later this month, an unusual move for a company that rarely produces one-off models.
According to Rolex, the sale will take place Sept. 28 in London in partnership with Phillips, with all proceeds benefiting the Federer Foundation and Leonardo DiCaprio’s Re:wild conservation group.
The four watches, collectively known as “The Four Seasons,” were developed in collaboration with DiCaprio and Roger Federer, both longtime Rolex ambassadors. Rolex said each watch is inspired by one of the year’s four seasons and features a different combination of precious metals, colored gemstones, and natural stone dials.
Hodinkee reported Sept. 3 that the four watches were originally conceived to be offered to a single buyer at a price of approximately 4 million Swiss francs ($4.9 million). Rolex reportedly was surprised when its retailers suggested more than 1,000 potential buyers, and decided instead to offer the four unique Daytonas at auction.
The watches are crafted in white gold, Everose gold, yellow gold, and platinum, with gemstone-set bezels and dials made from materials including chrysoprase, turquoise, mookaite, blue opal, lapis lazuli, and other decorative stones.
For example, the spring season watch is made of 18k white gold. The lugs and crown guard are set with 54 brilliant-cut diamonds totaling approximately 0.86 ct., while the bezel is set with 36 trapeze-cut purple sapphires measuring approximately 5.57 cts. t.w. The dial is crafted from chrysoprase with counters in lepidolite, and the hour markers consist of eight baguette-cut purple sapphires and three square-cut purple sapphires.
In a statement, Rolex described the watches as “a rare and refined expression of watchmaking excellence” that combines gem-setting, natural stone dials, and unique color combinations.
Founded in 2003, the Federer Foundation works to improve educational opportunities for children in Southern Africa and Switzerland. Re:wild supports biodiversity and habitat-protection initiatives around the world.
The JCK News Desk uses AI to help research and produce the first draft of articles. This story was then reviewed by staff writer David Blomquist.
(Top: Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona Ref. 126596 SABV, 40 mm, in platinum with blue opal dial, lapis lazuli counters, diamond hour markers, and bezel set with 36 trapeze-cut blue to fuchsia gradient sapphires; Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona Ref. 126599 SAVL, 40 mm, in 18k white gold with chrysoprase dial, lepidolite counters, purple sapphire hour markers, and bezel set with 36 trapeze-cut purple sapphires; photos: © Rolex)
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