Ever wondered what it’s like to commission a unique timepiece from Vacheron Constantin’s Atelier Cabinotiers?

A member of The Hour Lounge shares his journey in commissioning a unique Toledo 1952 from the Atelier Cabinotiers of Vacheron Constantin.

Atelier Cabinotiers is the department of Vacheron Constantin which creates unique timepieces at the behest of clients, including the Vladimir ultra-complication unveiled in 2011. Liger, a member of The Hour Lounge, the official but lively Vacheron Constantin forum, has just told the tale of the unique, blue dial Toledo 1952 triple calendar wristwatch he commissioned.

Taking a year and a half from initial idea to final product, he explains the specific details of his timepiece, as well as the process of creating the unique timepiece. One of the notable tidbits from his tale is the fact that Vacheron Constantin creates two examples of every component requires for a custom or bespoke timepiece, which not only creates a spare part but also allows the client to choose the example he prefers.

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Spectacular results at Christie’s Rolex Daytona “Lesson One” auction in Geneva, including a million dollar Paul Newman

Created to mark the 50th anniversary of the iconic Rolex chronograph, Christie’s Rolex Daytona “Lesson One” auction just concluded in Geneva with eye-popping results for all the watches on offer.

The million dollar Daytona

Curated by Aurel Bacs of Christie’s and Pucci Papaleo, an Italian Daytona specialist, the Rolex Daytona “Lesson One” sale just concluded at Christie’s in Geneva. The sale comprised 50 watches, including specimens from throughout the model’s 50 year history, including recent models like the Daytona Rainbow and this year’s platinum Daytona. All 50 lots on offer were sold, achieving an astounding US$13.2 million in total. Several records were set, including an alarming US$1 million for a rare version of the Paul Newman Daytona with screw-down pushers and a rare dial. Perhaps this is the high water mark of the spectacular run-up in Rolex Daytona prices? The sustainability of such incredible prices is a reasonable question. In any case, here are some highlights from the sale:

Rolex Daytona ref. 6239 with pulsations dial, c. 1967 Price realised US$838,090
Rolex Daytona ref. 6263 made for the Sultan of Oman, c. 1974 Price realised US$864,521
Rolex Daytona ref. 6263/6239 “Paul Newman” with screw-down pushers, c. 1969 Price realised US$1,089,186
Rolex Daytona ref. 16528 with prototype blue dial, c. 1989 Price realised US$283,034
Rolex Daytona ref. 116520 made for the Sultan of Oman, c. 2012 Price realised US$$117,013
Rolex Daytona “Rainbow” ref. 116599RBOW, c. 2012 Price realised US$137,663
Rolex Daytona ref. 116506, platinum, c. 2013 Price realised US$216,956 (all proceeds from this lot go to Children’s Action charity)

The rest of the watches and results are available from Christie’s, which also explains in great detail why each watch is special (and so expensive). – SJX

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