Rolex
'Rainbow', Reference 2274/8 | A yellow gold, diamond and multi-colored sapphire-set bracelet watch | Circa 1987
Auction Closed
April 3, 04:38 PM GMT
Estimate
18,000 - 38,000 CHF
Lot Details
Description
Dial: champagne, diamond
Calibre: cal. 1400 manual winding, 18 jewels
Case: 18k yellow gold, diamond and multi-colored sapphire-set, snap-on case back
Case number: 9’861’818
Closure: 18k yellow gold Rolex bracelet and locking clasp
Size: 20.5 mm diameter, bracelet circumference approximately 160 mm
Signed: case, dial and movement
Box: yes
Papers: yes
Accessories: Rolex Guarantee, service card, service invoice dated March 2024 and presentation case
Rolex 'Rainbow' – The Prismatic Outlier
The “Rainbow” is a spectacle of craftsmanship, scattering multicolored beams of light across the sky. Designed circa 1980—likely by Jean-Claude Gueit, the mastermind behind the rainbow setting—this Rolex defies tradition, fusing high jewelry with avant-garde design.
Forged in 18k yellow gold, the watch doesn’t stop at the iconic rainbow-set bezel. A “torsadé” effect bracelet twists around the wrist like a golden helix, while a diamond-set dial amplifies its luminous presence. The combination of textures, stones, and shapes makes this timepiece a true anomaly in Rolex’s portfolio—a rare, electrifying statement of audacity and artistry.
Decades ahead of its time, the Rainbow remains a celestial phenomenon—an opulent fusion of technical mastery and fearless creativity, proving that even in Rolex’s world, some stars shine differently than others.