Consigned by an important private collector and fresh to the market, the present reference 16528 is incredibly rare and most likely a unique example. One will quickly be drawn to the dial and will immediately notice that it is crafted from lapis lazuli hardstone and the indexes are set with diamonds. Powered by the Zenith El Primero caliber 4030 mechanism the present watch is not published in literature. The watch dates from 1996, which is also the same year which Rolex introduced the new reference 116589 Daytona's fitted with the new sodalite and grossular hardstone dials. One can argue that the present watch may have been some sort of test dial prior to the sodalite and grossular dials being introduced. What is also very unique to this watch is that all hardstone dial Daytona in regular production are only ever available with a white metal case and fitted with a leather strap, making the present watch even more desirable.

• Dial

  

Rolex has always been known for creating timepieces with precious stones and rare dial materials. This gorgeous example perfectly illustrates the exceptional skill of Rolex. Making stone dials is a very delicate process and the damage that can be caused during their manufacture is very high. There are many interesting attributes that make this watch highly unusual. Firstly, it is the only known lapis lazuli hardstone dial with diamond indexes and the only known yellow gold Rolex Daytona to be fitted with a hardstone dial. Last season, we set the world record price for any automatic Daytona and one of the highest prices for any Rolex ever when we sold the unknown platinum automatic Daytona with hardstone dial for 3m USD. Sotheby's is thrilled to present this exceptionally rare and important Rolex Daytona to the market this season.