Phillips sold four exclusive Rolex timepieces at a recent philanthropic auction in London, achieving a total of GBP 37.3 million ($49.4 million).
Part of the proceeds went to the Federer Foundation, which Roger Federer set up to support early childhood education in Southern Africa and Switzerland, Phillips said Monday. The sale also benefited Re:wild, which Leonardo DiCaprio cofounded, and focuses on protecting and restoring ecosystems worldwide.
“This is a historic moment for the world of watchmaking,” said Aurel Bacs, senior consultant at Phillips. “We are deeply honored to have played a role in this first-ever charity auction with Rolex and to support the important work of the Federer Foundation and Re:wild. It was a privilege to stand on the rostrum and witness the energy and passion in the room, united by shared values of excellence, craftsmanship and, above all, a commitment to making a positive difference. The extraordinary amount raised will make a meaningful contribution to future generations and to the protection of our natural world.”
Each of the four watches, gem-set versions of Rolex’s Oyster Perpetual Cosmosgraph Daytona, resembles a different season, containing diamonds, colored gemstones, natural stones and precious metals.
The Cosmograph Daytona Summer features ruby-set counters, eight baguette-cut and three square-cut pink sapphires as hour markers, 36 trapeze-cut pink sapphires around the dial, and 54 brilliant-cut diamonds. The timepiece sold for GBP 10.3 million ($13.6 million). The Autumn model, which brought in GBP 10.2 million ($13.5 million), bears a total of 47 green tourmalines and 54 brilliant-cut diamonds.
The Winter watch has lapis lazuli counters on the dial, 65 diamonds and 36 trapeze-cut sapphires in a blue-to-fuchsia gradient. It fetched GBP 10 million ($13.2 million). Meanwhile the Spring version boasts 47 purple sapphires and 54 brilliant-cut diamonds. It realized GBP 6.8 million ($9 million).
Image: The four Rolex timepieces. (Phillips)
