LOT 78
rOLex ref. 16758, SArU
Produced in an very small number, the present ref. 16758 SARU is believed to be one of only a handful of examples of this model to appear at auction to date. Its rarity is further enhanced by its extremely well preserved original condition with very sharp lines and beveled edges to the case and green factory sticker still applied to the case back. The “SARU”, which refers to the sapphire and ruby setting is distinguished by its diamond, sapphire and ruby-set bezel. This reference is a tribute to the blue and red coloured bakelite bezel of the frst GMT Master model lauded in 1954.
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To understand the rarity of the present watch one needs to look at the history of sports Rolex models. Since the introduction of the tool watches in the 1950’s all watches were manufactured in stainless steel. Gradually gold was introduced however the use of precious stones was not used until the Cosmograph Daytona reference 6269/6270 in the 1980’s alongside the present SARU GMT-Master. The original SARU from the 1980s is one of the rarest Rolex models of all times. Examples like the present one, coming in factory-fnish condition and still retaining the green sticker to the back, are seen very seldom and considered trophy watches.
28/03/15 09.13