Leopard Daytona Rolex: An Eccentric Timepiece at Diamonds by Raymond Lee
The Leopard Daytona: The Most Eccentric Rolex
Rolex has released its fair share of outlandish and eccentric watches, but none are quite as eye-catching as the Rolex Leopard Daytona. This watch hit the market in 2004 and was later discontinued in 2019, making this limited watch even more valuable. This Swiss-made watch has been owned by a long list of A-list celebrities, and is easily recognizable to just about anyone. Every single bit of design and gemstone in this watch are all perfectly symmetrical, down to the textured black lacquer leopard spots on the dial that individually shine under light. This watch is truly an impressive work of art that is sure to catch anyone’s eye.
The Gems Inside the Leopard Daytona
This Rolex is comprised of the 40mm case, made of 18k yellow gold which is also present on the large clasp on the strap. On the top and bottom of the case are three lugs meant to resemble a claw shape, each encasing 24 diamonds, for a total of 48 on both ends. The lugs are placed in order to close the gap between the strap and the case, purposefully adding to the eccentric design of the watch. The dial of the watch is also decorated with eight diamond hour markers, surrounded with more yellow gold. The final decorated part of the dial, are what makes this Rolex a Daytona; the three sunken yellow gold sub-dials. Arguably though, the most eye catching of the gems on this watch are the 36 scratch resistant baguette-cut sapphires around the bezel. In the reference number for this watch are the letters, “SACO”, which stands for “Saphirs Cognac”. This term is French and translates to “cognac sapphires”, referring to that iconic orange color of the gems. They are then cut in a baguette shape and set into the bezel using a complex setting technique, called invisible setting.
The Technique of Invisible Setting
Invisible setting is a very intricate and complex design technique to utilize in watchmaking, which elevates the already impressive status of this watch. To start the process, small grooves are cut into the base of each individual stone, which allows it to fit into a thin metal rail, which are then placed into the inlay of the bezel. This style of setting is used to give the gems the appearance as if they were floating. This specific technique makes the gems appear clear and adds more brilliance, due to the removal of metallic elements during the process.
What Makes the Leopard Daytona Unique
Aside from it being a limited Rolex, which already makes it sought after, the sapphires are the true star of the show. Sourcing 36 identically colored, shaped, and cut sapphires is a feat in itself. This specific model of Daytona is limited in quantity and difficult to find. When a buyer purchases one of these watches, it tends to stay in their collection for a long time. However, this Leopard Daytona doesn’t have an audience of your typical Rolex owner. This model is sought after by eccentric celebrities, such as Elton John, Nic Cage, DJ Khaled, and many more. Elton John auctioned off his own Leopard Daytona for a whopping $176,400, which only appreciated the market even more. The Leopard has only appreciated in value since its release and discontinuation in 2019, making it both a wonderful collector’s item or a perfect investment opportunity.
Rolex Quality Standard
On the gorgeous dial of this watch are a few lines of text that are placed under the Rolex logo. The first line reads, “Oyster Perpetual”, which refers to Rolex’s water resistant Oyster casing and the perpetual self-winding movement inside of the watch. The innovative case design was inspired by oysters, given the screws on the case that clamp down to create a water resistant feature. The perpetual movement was designed with a weight inside of the watch to wind the movement while the watch is being worn. The movement keeps the mainspring of the watch under tension in order to provide a stable source of energy to the inner workings.
The next line, “superlative chronometer” refers to the timekeeping ability of the watch. Any chronometer watch is a mechanical watch that undergoes very strict testing to ensure the accuracy and precision of the watch’s timekeeping ability. Rolex has an even higher standard, which is why this watch is stamped with “superlative”, meaning that the standard of the watch far exceeds what is typical for the brand. The final descriptor on this watch reads “Cosmograph”. The Cosmograph is essentially the new term used to refer to the brand’s line of Daytona watches. Every Daytona is technically a Cosmograph. Daytona watches were originally branded by Rolex as an attempt to be the official watch of NASA. But the line of watches really emerged in the 60’s when the racing scene in Daytona, FL, started to boom. This also explains the addition of the extra three sub-dials on the face of the watch.
Where to Buy the Leopard Daytona
If you’re interested in this exclusive watch, you’re in luck! This watch is currently in stock at Diamonds by Raymond Lee, and comes with a Rolex card and service papers straight from Rolex, just to give that extra edge. It may seem like this watch has a very niche audience because of how outlandish it is, but you really need to try it on for yourself to see the potential of this watch. It really is a work of art, and while it is flashy, it is not as wild looking as it may seem. If you are interested, make sure to visit the website and view this eccentric watch for yourself!