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Lot Essay
Highly precious-stone set sport's watches are doubtlessly amongst the rarest species of the "crowned" Geneva manufacturer. Made in very small series only, these stunning models are considered coveted treasures in today's market.
The present watch is from the very first series of the precious stone-set GMT-Master reference 16758 launched in circa 1980, also called "SARU", referring to the sapphire and ruby setting. It is distinguished by its diamond, sapphire and ruby-set bezel, a tribute to the blue and red colored bakelite bezel of the first GMT-Master model launched in 1956.
To fully appreciate SARU's incredible rarity and importance within Rolex's history of sports watches, one needs to put this model into context: since the introduction of tool watches in the 1950s, all models were initially exclusively cased in stainless steel. Only gradually gold versions were added to the line, however diamond-set references remained the ultimate niche product.
In fact, only the Cosmograph series 6263/6265 and the GMT-Master were ever granted this exclusive treat of being upgraded with precious stones. Whereas the Cosmograph became available in the 1980s either with a bezel set with round-cut diamonds (then ref. 6269) or with baguette-cut diamonds (then ref. 6270), the GMT-Master was only marketed in the present SARU version.
Produced in an exceedingly small series only, the present reference 16758 SARU is believed to be one of only approximately six examples of this model to appear in public auction to date.
The present watch has been worn very little in its life and has developed a beautiful patina to the gold case and bracelet. Furthermore, the watch appears to have never been polished in its life. It is a remarkable trophy for a discerning collector.
Reference 16578 SARU is mentioned as "a very rare version in 18K gold with diamond, sapphire and ruby-set bezel, pavé-set diamond dial with sapphire indexes" in 1908 - 2008 100 Years of Rolex by Franca and Guido Mondani, p. 175.
The present watch is from the very first series of the precious stone-set GMT-Master reference 16758 launched in circa 1980, also called "SARU", referring to the sapphire and ruby setting. It is distinguished by its diamond, sapphire and ruby-set bezel, a tribute to the blue and red colored bakelite bezel of the first GMT-Master model launched in 1956.
To fully appreciate SARU's incredible rarity and importance within Rolex's history of sports watches, one needs to put this model into context: since the introduction of tool watches in the 1950s, all models were initially exclusively cased in stainless steel. Only gradually gold versions were added to the line, however diamond-set references remained the ultimate niche product.
In fact, only the Cosmograph series 6263/6265 and the GMT-Master were ever granted this exclusive treat of being upgraded with precious stones. Whereas the Cosmograph became available in the 1980s either with a bezel set with round-cut diamonds (then ref. 6269) or with baguette-cut diamonds (then ref. 6270), the GMT-Master was only marketed in the present SARU version.
Produced in an exceedingly small series only, the present reference 16758 SARU is believed to be one of only approximately six examples of this model to appear in public auction to date.
The present watch has been worn very little in its life and has developed a beautiful patina to the gold case and bracelet. Furthermore, the watch appears to have never been polished in its life. It is a remarkable trophy for a discerning collector.
Reference 16578 SARU is mentioned as "a very rare version in 18K gold with diamond, sapphire and ruby-set bezel, pavé-set diamond dial with sapphire indexes" in 1908 - 2008 100 Years of Rolex by Franca and Guido Mondani, p. 175.