For collectors chasing the rarest of the rare, Sotheby’s upcoming Important Watches sale in Geneva presents an extraordinary opportunity: a one-of-a-kind Rolex Daytona, crafted in platinum and adorned with a light pink mother-of-pearl dial and diamond hour markers. With a high estimate of $1.6 million—and every reason to believe it will exceed that figure—this singular creation is destined to make waves in the world of haute horlogerie.
What makes this piece truly exceptional is not just its exquisite materials, but its origin. Rolex is famously discreet and resistant to custom commissions, making any bespoke creation from the brand virtually unheard of. This Daytona Ref. 16516, however, was part of a private order of four custom pieces made for a single VIP collector between 1998 and 1999—making it part of a legendary horological quartet.
All four pieces share the same reference number and were built in platinum—a full 15 years before Rolex would release the metal as a standard option for Daytonas. The piece set to go under the hammer on May 11 is the final installment of the quartet to surface, and perhaps the most striking of them all with its gleaming diamond-set dial.
The watch follows in the footsteps of its extraordinary siblings, each of which achieved impressive results at Sotheby’s in recent years. Among them:
- A rainbow-hued mother-of-pearl dial model that sold for $872,100
- A version with a lapis lazuli dial and turquoise strap that fetched approximately $3.27 million
- A turquoise Stella lacquer dial model that reached roughly $3.13 million
Though the collector behind the commission remains unnamed, speculation has long swirled around the late Patrick Heiniger, Rolex’s CEO from 1992 to 2008. Heiniger was known to have worn a platinum Daytona, and few others would have had the influence to authorize such a remarkable order.
Now, this final timepiece is stepping into the spotlight. With its rare construction, stunning design, and untouchable provenance, it’s more than just a watch—it’s a piece of Rolex history.
Expect bidding to be fierce when the gavel falls in Geneva. After all, for the world’s most passionate collectors, there may never be another Daytona quite like this one.
