Important Watches

Important Watches

View full screen - View 1 of Lot 2140. ROLEX | COSMOGRAPH DAYTONA 'THE BIG BLUE', REFERENCE 16528, A YELLOW GOLD CHRONOGRAPH WRISTWATCH WITH BLUE DIAL AND BRACELET, CIRCA 1991 | 勞力士 | "Cosmograph Daytona “The Big Blue” 型號16528 黃金計時鏈帶腕錶,備藍色錶盤,錶殼編號N194819,約1991年製".

VARIOUS PROPERTIES

ROLEX | COSMOGRAPH DAYTONA 'THE BIG BLUE', REFERENCE 16528, A YELLOW GOLD CHRONOGRAPH WRISTWATCH WITH BLUE DIAL AND BRACELET, CIRCA 1991 | 勞力士 | "Cosmograph Daytona “The Big Blue” 型號16528 黃金計時鏈帶腕錶,備藍色錶盤,錶殼編號N194819,約1991年製"

Auction Closed

October 9, 11:30 AM GMT

Estimate

1,200,000 - 1,800,000 HKD

Lot Details

Description

VARIOUS PROPERTIES

ROLEX

勞力士


COSMOGRAPH DAYTONA 'THE BIG BLUE', REFERENCE 16528

A YELLOW GOLD CHRONOGRAPH WRISTWATCH WITH BLUE DIAL AND BRACELET, CIRCA 1991

Cosmograph Daytona “The Big Blue” 型號16528

黃金計時鏈帶腕錶,備藍色錶盤,錶殼編號N194819,約1991年製


Dial: blue

Calibre: cal. 4030 automatic, 31 jewels

Case: 18k yellow gold, screw down case back

Case number: N194819

Closure:18k yellow gold Rolex Oyster bracelet and folding clasp 

Size: 40 mm diameter, bracelet circumference approximately 178 mm

Signed: case, dial and movement

Nicknamed the ‘Chairman’ or 'The Big Blue', this magnificent blue dial was manufactured in the Singer laboratories in small numbers. It was perhaps due to poor market feedback that its production was quickly cancelled. Subsequently, these dials were later given to friends, suppliers, senior executives and business partners of Rolex, who would decide the dial’s fate by housing it onto existing Daytona models and giving the watch new life. 


This present example showcases a galvanised ocean-blue dial with a soleil finish, starkly complementing the lavish gold case which increased in diameter from 37 mm around the late 1980s and early 1990s. Other exciting details include the inversed 6 o’clock numerical index which indicates the Zenith El Primero movement and the classic red Daytona signature above the golden-ringed subsidiary dial. These dynamic features enhance the iconic elements, such as the screw-down pushers, three subsidiary dials and raised gold-rimmed indexes, typically seen on the Daytona: all these details fuse together to create one mesmerising visual, transcending beyond the watch’s purpose-built origins.


As these deep-blue dials were technically never retailed to the public, they are one of the most exclusive collectables available on the secondary market. With its elusiveness and limited production numbers, the upcoming auction presents a special opportunity to acquire this extremely rare yet iconic timepiece.