According to auction house Phillips, the Rolex Cosmogaph Daytona 6265 is the only known white gold manual-winding Daytona ever produced.
“Nicknamed ‘The Unicorn’ because of its elusive nature, Rolex made this extravagant Daytona in 1970 and delivered it to a German retailer,” a Phillips statement read. “Before the discovery of this piece, we believed that only stainless steel and yellow gold versions of the 6265 existed.
“We don't know why Rolex decided to deliver this piece, or if any others like it exist. But this is the first time such a watch is offered at auction, and it could very well be the last,” it added.
More than 30 of the “most sought-after” Daytonas will be on offer at Phillips’ Daytona Ultimatum auction in Geneva, Switzerland on 12 May. The headlining 6265 watch is fitted with a sigma dial and white gold hour indicator, and has a crown made from stainless steel. It also features a white gold bracelet with bark finish, which was added by its current owner, Italian watch collector John Goldberger. Proceeds from the sale will go to charity Children Action.
In other auction news, another unique item has been put up for auction. A fancy blue diamond ring, which will headline Sotheby’s 3 April Magnificent Jewels and Jadeite auction in Hong Kong, is expected to fetch between HKD$46.2 – HKD$60 million (AU$7.4 – AU$9.7 m).
The step-cut, fancy 14-carat blue diamond ring is surrounded by brilliant-cut pink diamonds and is mounted in platinum and 18-carat pink gold. According to the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), the diamond is a type IIb with VVS2 clarity.
the watch
More reading
“Significant” Elvis watch up for auction
Hollywood legend’s watch sells for $23 million