Rolex Unveils Four Unique Cosmograph Daytona Watches For Charity Auction
While the watch world was focusing on the events of Geneva Watch Days 2026, Rolex decided to drop a bit of news on us. The brand officially announced that it is preparing four unique Cosmograph Daytona watches for a charity auction in London on September 28th. Each watch takes inspiration from one of the four seasons. Rolex has used different combinations of colors, gemstones, and finishes to create four distinct expressions of the Daytona. The project highlights the brand’s gemsetting expertise and offers yet another peek at its “wilder” side.
The watches form part of the brand’s Perpetual Planet Initiative and will be sold by Phillips as four separate lots, with proceeds going to two charitable organizations.
Four unique Daytona watches, four gem-set designs
The four watches share the Cosmograph Daytona platform, but each has a distinct combination of precious metal, gemstones, and colors. Rolex says the quartet demonstrates the brand’s expertise in gemsetting, with each watch representing a different season. Given Rolex’s usually more sober approach, we appreciate that these don’t showcase just technical capability but also an uncharacteristic lightheartedness.
Platinum and lapis
The first Daytona pairs a platinum case with lapis. The deep blue stone gives the watch a strong seasonal character and marks the platinum model as one of the four distinct expressions created for the auction.
Yellow gold, mookaite, and chrysoprase
The second watch uses yellow gold alongside mookaite and chrysoprase. The combination introduces warmer tones and a more varied palette to the four-watch series.
White gold, chrysoprase, and lepidolite
The third Daytona features a white gold case set with chrysoprase and lepidolite. Its gemstone combination gives this example a different color profile from both the platinum and yellow gold watches.
Everose gold, turquoise, and ruby
The fourth watch combines Rolex’s Everose gold with turquoise and ruby. It is the most contrasting of the four combinations, pairing the warm tone of the case with vivid blue and red stones.
Supporting the Federer Foundation and Re:wild
Rumor has it that the watches were initially expected to be offered privately as a complete four-watch set. Reports at the time suggested a price of around CHF 4 million, with considerable interest from potential buyers. Rolex has instead chosen to auction the watches individually, likely to maximize its charitable contribution. This is a first for the brand, which is partnering with Phillips to do so.
The auction will raise funds for two organizations. Proceeds will benefit the Federer Foundation, which supports early and foundational education for children in southern Africa and Switzerland, and Re:wild, which works to protect and restore ecosystems worldwide. Phillips will conduct the auction in London on September 28th, 2026, with the four watches offered as separate lots.
What do you think of this kind of philanthropic initiative from Rolex? And what do you make of the watches themselves? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below.
