Acid. There is no other explanation. The entire Rolex design and marketing department was on acid when they came up with this outlandish Daytona.

Introduced at the 2004 Basel Fair, the ref. 116598SACO is without a doubt the most unconventional and over-the-top watch that the normally so conservative Genevan watchmaker has ever released. It is for that very reason that collectors have been enamored with it ever since.

Aptly nicknamed the ‘Leopard’, this 18k yellow gold Daytona features an exquisite 18k yellow gold bezel set with 36 cognac colored sapphires. The lacquered dial, meanwhile, features an extravagant leopard print together with eight diamond set hour markers with 18k gold surrounds, interspersed with applied 18k yellow gold Arabic minute markers at the 15, 30, and 45 positions.

The leopard theme is carried over on the matching printed leather strap. The space between the case and the strap is covered by extravagant claw-inspired hood pieces that are covered by 48 brilliant cut factory-set diamonds.

This epic 116598SACO dates back to 2005 and is in unworn condition, with the original stickers still attached. The watch comes as a full set with the original oversized box and papers. One might say it has never been worn because it is so atrocious, others might argue that it is preserved so well to cherish such a historically interesting specimen. Regardless, this polarising Cosmograph is part of Rolex' history and we are always happy to have this conversation piece on offer.