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Lot Essay
To own a Rolex Daytona ‘Le Mans’ in yellow gold is to possess one of the most exclusive and sought-after contemporary timepieces. On the wrist, it confers a prestige that is beyond price. Completely ‘off-catalogue,’ the yellow gold ‘Le Mans’ Daytona is a VIP-exclusive, invitation-only model, with each owner hand-picked by Rolex CEO Jean-Frédéric Dufour.
We are thrilled to present here the first example ever offered at auction. Its desirability is simply off the scale, with an almost mythical status among contemporary wristwatches.
The Daytona ‘Le Mans’ was first introduced in 2023 to mark the 100th anniversary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race. The initial version, crafted in white gold, was one of the most significant and exciting wristwatch releases in recent history. However, it was also one of the shortest-lived, being discontinued in 2024. The present yellow gold version was quietly introduced later that year but, unlike its white gold predecessor, has never appeared in any Rolex catalogue or on the brand's website. It was first spotted on the wrist of former world No.1 tennis legend Roger Federer at the U.S. Open.
The dial design pays homage to the iconic Rolex Daytona ‘Paul Newman’ dials. The case is the latest Daytona design, featuring a black ceramic tachymeter bezel with a red ‘100’ marker and a display caseback.
We are thrilled to present here the first example ever offered at auction. Its desirability is simply off the scale, with an almost mythical status among contemporary wristwatches.
The Daytona ‘Le Mans’ was first introduced in 2023 to mark the 100th anniversary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race. The initial version, crafted in white gold, was one of the most significant and exciting wristwatch releases in recent history. However, it was also one of the shortest-lived, being discontinued in 2024. The present yellow gold version was quietly introduced later that year but, unlike its white gold predecessor, has never appeared in any Rolex catalogue or on the brand's website. It was first spotted on the wrist of former world No.1 tennis legend Roger Federer at the U.S. Open.
The dial design pays homage to the iconic Rolex Daytona ‘Paul Newman’ dials. The case is the latest Daytona design, featuring a black ceramic tachymeter bezel with a red ‘100’ marker and a display caseback.