The world of horology has witnessed yet another historic milestone as a unique quartet of timepieces captured the global spotlight. When the horological community first caught wind of Rolex’s extraordinary Daytona “Four Seasons” charity auction, speculation ran wild across watch forums, collector circles, and auction houses alike. Observers around the globe immediately began asking a monumental question: Could this exceptional set of four chronographs achieve CHF 31 million—the legendary sum commanded by Patek Philippe’s iconic steel Grandmaster Chime when it crossed the block at the Only Watch auction in Geneva back in 2019?
That burning question finally received its definitive answer in London, where the four distinct Rolex Daytonas together commanded an astonishing £37.3 million. When converted into international currencies, that final figure equates to roughly CHF 41.2 million, or an approximate US$49.5 million. While industry veterans are quick to point out an obvious and necessary qualification—that Rolex’s astronomical total represents the combined hammer price of four separate wristwatches, whereas the Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime record belonged to a single, standalone piece—the result remains nothing short of breathtaking. Securing nearly £37.3 million for a quartet of chronographs that share the exact same underlying mechanical movement, yet are set apart by their individual and mesmerizing configurations of precious metals and rare gemstones, cements this event as one of the most remarkable moments in modern auction history.
The high-stakes charity auction took place in London, hosted by the prestigious auction house Phillips and conducted with characteristic flair and precision by auctioneer Aurel Bacs. As the bidding war unfolded within a tense and electrified saleroom, the individual lots quickly demonstrated the intense demand and fierce competition among global collectors. Leading the pack by a narrow margin was the Summer edition, which achieved a phenomenal £10.3 million. Hot on its heels was the Autumn model, pulling in a matching £10.2 million, while the Winter edition closely followed at £10 million. Rounding out the seasonal quartet was the Spring model, which realized a still-formidable £6.8 million. According to representatives from Phillips, the vast majority of the aggressive bidding action did not happen on the auction floor, but rather through intense telephone bids coming in from deep-pocketed collectors spread across multiple continents.
Phillips has formally described the combined £37.3 million result as an all-time record for a single consignment presented at a charity auction. Beyond the sheer financial magnitude of the sale, the profound philanthropic impact of the evening stands as a central pillar of the event’s success. All proceeds generated from the sale of the Daytona “Four Seasons” collection are designated to directly benefit two high-profile philanthropic organizations. The first is the Federer Foundation, established by tennis legend Roger Federer, which focuses extensively on funding and championing early childhood education initiatives across Southern Africa and Switzerland. The second beneficiary is Re:wild, a prominent environmental conservation organization that was co-founded, among others, by acclaimed actor and environmental activist Leonardo DiCaprio. By marrying ultra-exclusive Swiss watchmaking with global philanthropy, the auction successfully directed millions of dollars toward education and ecological preservation.
Key Facts and Pricing Breakdown
To fully appreciate the scope of this unprecedented horological offering, it is essential to examine the specific technical details and reference numbers that define the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona “Four Seasons” collection. Each piece in the quartet represents a masterclass in high jewelry integration paired with Rolex’s legendary chronograph engineering, tailored to evoke the distinct aesthetic mood of its respective season.
The collection comprises four distinct references, each executed in a unique precious metal. Winter is represented by the reference 126596 SABV, forged in 950 platinum. Spring takes the form of the reference 126599 SAVL, crafted from luminous 18k white gold. Summer is brought to life through the reference 126595 SARO, rendered in warm 18k Everose gold. Finally, Autumn is embodied by the reference 126598 TML, constructed in striking 18k yellow gold.
Despite their stylistic and material differences, all four timepieces share a cohesive set of physical proportions. Each watch features a balanced 40 mm diameter case with a thickness of 12.20 mm, protected by a durable scratch-resistant sapphire crystal. Engineered for everyday practicality alongside high-end luxury, the watches maintain a water resistance rating of 100 meters, ensuring that these artistic creations retain the robust functional DNA inherent to the Cosmograph Daytona lineage.
At the heart of each of the four timepieces beats Rolex’s modern Calibre 4131. This mechanical, self-winding chronograph movement operates at a frequency of 28,800 beats per hour, translating to a smooth 4 Hz. Thanks to Rolex’s advanced barrel architecture and efficient escapement design, the movement delivers a comfortable power reserve of approximately 72 hours when fully wound. Alongside the central hours, minutes, and running seconds, the caliber powers the precision chronograph functions that have defined the Daytona collection for generations. Each watch is fitted to a matching precious metal Oyster bracelet, securing the heavy gold and platinum components seamlessly to the wrist.
As ultra-exclusive creations, each model within the "Four Seasons" set was produced as a unique piece—a strict limited edition of one for each colorway and season. Following their dramatic public appearance and sale at the Phillips charity auction on September 28, 2026, the individual realization prices for each lot became a matter of public record. The platinum Winter model, reference 126596 SABV, achieved £10,000,000. The white gold Spring model, reference 126599 SAVL, realized £6,800,000. The Everose gold Summer model, reference 126595 SARO, reached £10,300,000, while the yellow gold Autumn model, reference 126598 TML, brought in £10,200,000. Combined, the four lots culminated in the headline-grabbing final tally of £37,300,000, translating to approximately US$49.5 million.
