When the horological world first caught wind of Rolex’s special charity initiative—a breathtaking quartet of Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytonas dubbed the “Four Seasons” collection—collectors and industry analysts immediately began speculating on the heights the set might reach. In the quiet corridors of watch collecting, comparisons were instantly drawn to legendary single-lot heavyweights, chief among them Patek Philippe’s historic steel Grandmaster Chime, which famously fetched CHF 31 million at the Only Watch auction in 2019. Today, inside a packed sale room in London hosted by Phillips, those lofty speculations were not only met but thoroughly rewritten, as the four unique chronographs achieved a combined total of £37.3 million, translating to roughly CHF 41.2 million or approximately US$49.5 million.
That historic figure naturally carries a vital distinction: while Patek Philippe’s monumental sum was generated by the sale of a single, highly complicated wristwatch, Rolex’s astronomical total represents the collective outcome of four distinct chronographs. Even so, realizing nearly £37.4 million for a quartet of watches that share the exact same mechanical heartbeat—distinguished primarily by their artistic interpretations of precious metals and carefully curated gemstone configurations—marks a watershed moment in contemporary watchmaking history. It underscores an insatiable global appetite for ultra-rare, manufacturer-certified unique pieces, particularly when paired with high-profile philanthropic missions.
The high-stakes auction was expertly steered by veteran auctioneer Aurel Bacs under the auspices of Phillips, drawing fierce international interest primarily driven by aggressive telephone bidding. As the lots crossed the block one by one, the tension in the room palpable, the individual results began to roll in, reflecting strong and consistent demand across the entire seasonal spectrum. Summer emerged as the highest-grossing individual watch of the quartet, pulling in an astonishing £10.3 million. Hot on its heels was Autumn, commanding £10.2 million, closely followed by Winter at £10 million. Spring rounded out the seasonal cycle with a still-formidable £6.8 million. Together, these figures cemented a new benchmark for the house.
According to Phillips, the combined £37.3 million result officially stands as a record for a single consignment presented at a charity auction. Beyond the extraordinary financial implications for the secondary and primary collecting markets, the primary triumph of the evening lies in the beneficiaries of the immense capital raised. All proceeds from the sale are destined for two prominent philanthropic organizations: the Federer Foundation, which champions early education initiatives for vulnerable children across Southern Africa and Switzerland, and Re:wild, a leading global conservation organization co-founded by environmental advocate and actor Leonardo DiCaprio. By marrying haute horlogerie with critical global causes, Rolex and Phillips have created a financial engine capable of driving substantial, real-world impact.
Key Facts and Individual Lot Prices
To understand the magnitude of the “Four Seasons” collection, one must examine the baseline technical specifications shared across all four iterations of the Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona. Each model features a balanced 40 mm oyster architecture with a slim profile measuring 12.20 mm in height, protected by a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal and offering a dependable water resistance of up to 100 meters. Powering each watch is Rolex’s in-house Calibre 4131, a state-of-the-art automatic chronograph movement beating at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz) and delivering a robust power reserve of approximately 72 hours. Designed to display hours, minutes, small seconds, and the signature chronograph functions, each watch is fitted with a matching Oyster bracelet crafted from the corresponding precious metal of its respective case.
Despite sharing the same mechanical DNA, each reference in the quartet is a unique, one-of-a-kind piece explicitly created for this charitable endeavor. The collection begins with the Winter edition, housed in 950 platinum under reference 126596 SABV, which commanded an incredible £10,000,000 at the auction block. Next is the Spring model, crafted in 18k white gold under reference 126599 SAVL, which achieved £6,800,000. The Summer edition, rendered in warm 18k Everose gold under reference 126595 SARO, claimed the highest individual price of the evening at £10,300,000. Finally, the Autumn model, built from 18k yellow gold under reference 126598 TML, secured a matching £10,200,000.
Altogether, the four watches achieved a cumulative total of £37,300,000, converting to roughly US$49.5 million. This historic auction not only redefines the boundaries of modern sports watch valuation but also demonstrates the enduring power of iconic design when harnessed for global philanthropy.
