Hot off the press: this “Zenith” Rolex Daytona has just been sold at a Hong Kong Sotheby’s auction for a blistering €2.6 million.
According to Sotheby’s resident experts, this is one of only 5 “Zenith” Rolex Daytonas with a platinum case. These incredibly rare exemplars were commissioned by Patrick Heiniger, the CEO of Rolex between 1992 and 2008.
It is believed that platinum was the then-CEO’s favourite watch material. As such, he requested that 5 of them be made: one for him, and the other four for his friends and colleagues.
Nearly all of these Platinum Zenith Rolex Daytonas have been auctioned by Sotheby’s
3 out of these 5 hyper-rare exemplars have faced the Sotheby’s auction block: firstly in 2018, once in 2020, and now in 2021. Each of these, in fact, have a very peculiar and unique hard-stone dial configuration.
The first of these Zenith Daytonas appeared in 2018. It featured a beautiful mother-of-pearl dial and was auctioned for €750,000.
The second platinum Zenith Daytona was an absolute record-smasher: €2,700,000. This exemplar instead featured a stunning blue lapis lazzuli dial.
Last but certainly not least, the latest platinum Zenith Rolex Daytona to appear before auction sold for €2.6 million. Alongside the peculiar pink alligator strap, this one featured a more “plain” and clean turquoise dial.
So, where are the remaining two Platinum Zenith Daytonas?
That is the question on everyone’s minds. Now that 3 of the 5 have been auctioned by Sotheby’s, where are the remaining 2? Are they in the hands of their original owners? Or perhaps have they fallen into the hands of a very lucky watch dealer?
All we can do now is wait and see. I think it would be pretty cool if they also were auctioned off by Sotheby’s, don’t you? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
-Translated by Patrick R.
