Rolex
Reference 16589SACI Daytona | A white gold, diamond, and sapphire-set automatic chronograph wristwatch with sodalite dial, Circa 1997
Auction Closed
June 15, 08:08 PM GMT
Estimate
80,000 - 160,000 USD
Lot Details
Description
Dial: sodalite and diamond-set
Caliber: cal. 4030 automatic, 31 jewels
Movement number: 167'756
Case: 18k white gold and sapphire-set, screw down case back
Case number: U'355'791
Closure: 18k white gold Rolex folding clasp
Size: 40 mm diameter
Signed: case, dial and movement
Box: yes
Papers: no
Accessories: Rolex presentation box with outer packaging and booklets
The Rolex Daytona Reference 16589SACI, produced circa 1997, stands among the most striking gem‑set Cosmographs of the era, distinguished by its 18k white‑gold case, diamond‑set lugs, and a bezel adorned with brilliant‑cut sapphires. At its center is the vivid sodalite dial, a natural stone prized for its deep blue mineral veining, ensuring that no two examples are ever alike.
Powered by the celebrated Zenith‑based Caliber 4030, the watch blends the technical pedigree of the early automatic Daytonas with the bold, jewelry‑driven aesthetic that defined Rolex’s late‑1990s gem‑set creations. Produced in extremely limited numbers and seldom encountered at auction, the 16589SACI occupies a rarefied space within the Daytona lineage—an unmistakable fusion of precious‑metal opulence, natural‑stone artistry, and the enduring appeal of Rolex’s most iconic chronograph.