The Rolex reference 116599 is one of the most glamorous modern Rolex references ever. Back in 2001 Rolex started with this a rare line of ultra-luxurious Daytona watches. It became one of the most beloved timepieces for collectors created by Rolex. The present Daytona 116599 RBR watch is in excellent condition and has the original case back sticker still attached.

To properly understand its importance, one should reflect upon the market situation at its release, in 2001. It is a tipping point for the industry: the explosion of modern watchmaking is just a few years away; watch manufacturers have most probably already foreseen a market expansion, and are testing ways to appeal to the incoming additional customers. Rolex was already back then a pioneer of mixing utmost exclusivity with a sporty appeal: in the 1980s they had released the bejeweled manual Daytonas ref. 6269 and 6270, and over the 1990s some trials are made with the Zenith Daytonas as well. The market response to these pieces is lukewarm at best: a few dozen examples of bejeweled Daytonas are produces and sold overall but, as the present piece testifies, Rolex does not shy away from continuous testing and creates the present model, among the most luxurious and exquisite Daytona chronographs to date. It is extremely insightful to see how Rolex had understood the appeal this kind of bejeweled pieces would have in a few years – appeal later proved by the remarkable success of the Daytona Rainbow models – and persevered in this segment even though the market was less than receptive.

The aesthetic appeal of the piece fully matches its rarity: the combination of the shiny but algid diamond-setting and white gold case is framed by the bezel diamonds, with reference 116599 RBR Rolex achieved the remarkable goal of creating a 40 mm. diamond-set timepiece which manages to convey its importance in an elegant and sophisticated manner.