On 28 September 2026, four one-of-a-kind Rolex Cosmograph Daytonas sold at a Phillips charity auction in London for a combined £37.3 million (about US$49.5 million, or roughly AED 181 million). That's now the highest total ever reached at a charity watch auction, and collectors across Dubai and the wider Gulf have been talking about it all week.
Below, we look at each of the four watches, what it sold for, and what the sale means if you're thinking about buying a Daytona in the UAE. Want to skip ahead? See the Daytonas available at 971 Watch Co.
What Are the Rolex "Four Seasons" Daytonas?
Rolex made the "Four Seasons" set as unique pieces, one Daytona for each season. Each watch has its own precious-metal case, a hardstone dial, and a bezel set with 36 trapeze-cut gemstones in that season's colours. Rolex rarely makes true one-off pieces, so the set was guaranteed to draw serious attention.
The four watches and what each one sold for
| Season | Reference | Case & dial | Hammer price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | 126595 SARO | 18k Everose gold, turquoise dial with ruby counters, pink sapphire bezel | £10.3 million (~AED 50M) |
| Autumn | 126598 TML | 18k yellow gold, mookaite dial with chrysoprase counters, green tourmaline bezel | £10.2 million (~AED 50M) |
| Winter | 126596 SABV | 950 platinum, blue opal dial with lapis lazuli counters, blue-to-fuchsia sapphire bezel | £10.0 million (~AED 49M) |
| Spring | 126599 SAVL | 18k white gold, chrysoprase dial with lepidolite counters, purple sapphire bezel | £6.8 million (~AED 33M) |
1. Summer: Rolex Daytona 126595 SARO
Hammer price: £10.3 million (~AED 50 million). The top lot of the night.
Summer was the most expensive watch in the set. Its 18k Everose gold case gives it a warm rose tone, and the turquoise stone dial brings in the colour of a summer sea. Ruby counters add bright red accents against the blue-green dial, and the bezel is set with pink sapphires that pick up the pink of the gold. It's the boldest and most colourful of the four, which helps explain why bidders pushed it to the highest price.
- Case: 18k Everose gold
- Dial: Turquoise
- Counters: Ruby
- Bezel: Pink sapphires
Like the Summer look? The closest match in our collection is the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Rainbow Everose, with an Everose gold case and a bezel of graduated sapphires. For Everose with diamonds, see the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Everose Gold Diamond Dial.
2. Autumn: Rolex Daytona 126598 TML
Hammer price: £10.2 million (~AED 50 million)
Autumn finished just £100,000 behind Summer. It pairs an 18k yellow gold case with a mookaite dial, a stone known for its earthy mix of red, mustard and cream tones, like falling leaves. The counters are green chrysoprase, and the bezel is set with green tourmalines. It's the warmest and most natural-looking watch in the set, and the yellow gold gives it a classic Daytona feel.
- Case: 18k yellow gold
- Dial: Mookaite
- Counters: Chrysoprase
- Bezel: Green tourmalines
Like the Autumn look? Try the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Yellow Gold Diamonds or the "John Mayer" Daytona with green dial.
3. Winter: Rolex Daytona 126596 SABV
Hammer price: £10.0 million (~AED 49 million)
Winter is the only watch in the set with a 950 platinum case, Rolex's most exclusive metal. The dial is blue opal, with counters in deep blue lapis lazuli, giving the cool, icy look of a winter sky. The bezel is the most unusual of the four, with sapphires that shift from blue to fuchsia around the ring. It looks the most understated at first glance, but the gradient bezel makes it one of the most striking up close.
- Case: 950 platinum
- Dial: Blue opal
- Counters: Lapis lazuli
- Bezel: Blue-to-fuchsia sapphires
Like the Winter look? See the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Platinum, with Rolex's signature ice-blue dial.
4. Spring: Rolex Daytona 126599 SAVL
Hammer price: £6.8 million (~AED 33 million)
Spring sold for the lowest price of the four, but at £6.8 million it is still among the most expensive Rolex watches ever sold. It has an 18k white gold case and a fresh green chrysoprase dial. The counters are lepidolite, a soft lilac stone, and the bezel is set with purple sapphires, like spring flowers. With its pale green and purple palette, Spring is the lightest and softest-looking watch in the set.
- Case: 18k white gold
- Dial: Chrysoprase
- Counters: Lepidolite
- Bezel: Purple sapphires
Like the Spring look? Take a look at the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Le Mans White Gold.
A New Record for Charity Watch Auctions
The sale took place at Raffles London at The OWO, the restored Old War Office building. No buyer's premium was charged, and all proceeds go to charity. The beneficiaries are the Roger Federer Foundation and Re:wild, the conservation organisation co-founded by Leonardo DiCaprio.
The £37.3 million total beat the previous charity record, set in 2019 when a Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime sold for CHF 31 million at Only Watch. More than 40 telephone bidders competed, and all four Daytonas were won by phone bidders, which shows how global the demand for top-tier Rolex has become.
What the Sale Means for Daytona Collectors in Dubai
None of us will be bidding on a one-of-one Daytona tomorrow, but the sale still sends some clear signals to the market:
- The Daytona is still the most-wanted Rolex chronograph. When Rolex wanted to make a statement piece, it picked the Daytona. That kind of attention tends to keep demand high across the whole model line.
- Gem-set and precious-metal Daytonas are getting more attention. The Four Seasons set is in the same family as Rolex's gem-set "Rainbow" and precious-metal Daytonas, and these references are attracting more interest from collectors.
- Rarity and provenance drive value. Unique dials, limited production and a good story behind a watch all show up in its price. Read more in our guide to Rolex watches as a modern investment.
Shop Daytonas Inspired by the Four Seasons at 971 Watch Co
You can't buy the Four Seasons set, but you can own a Daytona with the same materials and the same gem-set style. Here's how our collection in Dubai matches each season:
- Summer style (gem-set Everose): Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Rainbow Everose
- Autumn style (yellow gold): Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Yellow Gold Diamonds or the "John Mayer" Daytona
- Winter style (platinum): Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Platinum
- Spring style (white gold): Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Le Mans White Gold
- Everose with diamonds: Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Everose Gold Diamond Dial
Want to see the full range? Browse our pre-owned Rolex collection or explore all luxury watches at 971 Watch Co. Already own a Daytona and thinking of upgrading? Sell your watch with us.
Buying a Pre-Owned Daytona? Read These First
- How to authenticate a luxury watch before you buy
- Best pre-owned Rolex watches for men in Dubai
- Rolex vs Patek Philippe vs Audemars Piguet vs Richard Mille: how to choose
Frequently Asked Questions
How much did the Rolex Four Seasons Daytonas sell for?
The four watches sold for a combined £37.3 million (about US$49.5 million, or roughly AED 181 million) at Phillips in London on 28 September 2026.
Which Four Seasons Daytona sold for the most?
Summer (ref. 126595 SARO) sold for the most at £10.3 million. Autumn followed at £10.2 million, Winter at £10.0 million and Spring at £6.8 million.
Which Four Seasons Daytona has a platinum case?
Winter (ref. 126596 SABV) is the only watch in the set with a 950 platinum case.
Who benefits from the sale?
All proceeds go to the Roger Federer Foundation and Re:wild. No buyer's premium was charged.
Can I buy a Four Seasons Daytona?
No. Each watch is unique and now belongs to a private collector. Similar gem-set and precious-metal Daytonas, like the Rainbow Everose and the Platinum Daytona, are available in Dubai through 971 Watch Co.
