Rolex Four Seasons Daytona Collection Sells for $49.4 Million at Phillips Charity Auction

Four one-of-a-kind Rolex Cosmograph Daytonas representing the four seasons sold for a combined £37.3 million, approximately $49.4 million, during a special Phillips charity auction in London. Summer was the highest-selling watch of the group, bringing £10.3 million, or approximately $13.65 million. Autumn followed at £10.2 million, approximately $13.52 million, while Winter sold for £10 million, approximately $13.2 million. Spring completed the collection at £6.8 million, approximately $9.01 million. The four watches were auctioned individually by Phillips Senior Consultant Aurel Bacs, with no buyer’s premium applied.

Phillips said the £37.3 million total represents the single largest consignment to a charity auction ever. All proceeds from the sale are going to the Federer Foundation and Re. The Federer Foundation, founded by Roger Federer, supports early and foundational learning for children in Southern Africa and Switzerland, while Re, co-founded by Leonardo DiCaprio, works to protect and restore wild ecosystems around the world.

Each of the four unique Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytonas was designed to represent a different season through a combination of precious metals, natural stone dials, colored gemstones and diamonds. All four are powered by Rolex calibre 4131 movements with approximately 72 hours of power reserve and carry Superlative Chronometer certification.

The $13.65 million Summer Daytona, reference 126595 SARO, is made from 18-karat Everose gold and features a turquoise dial with heart-of-ruby counters. Eight baguette-cut and three square-cut pink sapphires serve as the hour markers, while the bezel is set with 36 trapeze-cut pink sapphires. Another 54 brilliant-cut diamonds are set across the lugs and crown guard. Its £10.3 million result made Summer the most expensive of the four watches.

Autumn, reference 126598 TML, sold for £10.2 million, or approximately $13.52 million. The watch is made from 18-karat yellow gold with a mookaite dial and chrysoprase counters. Green tourmalines appear on the hour markers and across the bezel, while 54 brilliant-cut diamonds decorate the lugs and crown guard.

Winter, reference 126596 SABV, reached £10 million, approximately $13.2 million. It is the platinum member of the Four Seasons collection, using a 950 platinum case with a blue opal dial and lapis lazuli counters. Its bezel contains 36 trapeze-cut sapphires arranged in a blue-to-fuchsia gradient, while diamonds are used for the hour markers, lugs and crown guard.

Spring, reference 126599 SAVL, sold for £6.8 million, approximately $9.01 million. The 18-karat white gold watch features a chrysoprase dial with lepidolite counters, purple sapphire hour markers and a bezel set with 36 trapeze-cut purple sapphires. Like the other three watches, its lugs and crown guard are set with 54 brilliant-cut diamonds.

The auction marked an unusual moment for Rolex and the watch-collecting world, bringing four unique Daytonas directly to market for charity rather than as part of the brand’s regular production. Phillips described the event as Rolex’s first charity auction, with the entire £37.3 million generated by the Four Seasons collection going to the two charitable organizations.