Luxury, Watches

This custom Rolex was sent to a remote island to rust out on purpose

Published on Apr 14, 2022 at 10:46 AM (UTC+4)
by Alessandro Renesis

Last updated on May 18, 2022 at 4:57 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by Kate Bain

Artisans de Genève, a Swiss watch company that specialises in one-off customisation projects, has just revealed a unique Rolex Daytona nicknamed “Rusty”.

The name is a reference to the hue that they used for the bezel and the sub-dials, which makes it look like they’re rusting out.

This idea is guaranteed to divide opinions because the Daytona is an icon and it also set the world record for the most expensive wristwatch sold at auction in 2017 when one formerly owned by Paul Newman ended up selling for $17.75 million.

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Rolex Daytona Rusty, hero image
Image: Artisans de Genève
Rolex Daytona Rusty, sketch
Image: Artisans de Genève
Rolex Daytona Rusty, oxidisation process
Image: Artisans de Genève

Everything you see here was done on purpose, using methods and patience that some would describe as scientific.

The company carefully oxidised the dial by sending it to the Azores, a Portuguese archipelago with one of the highest humidity rates in the world, where they painstakingly controlled the patina for 10 weeks, after which they applied rhodium-plating on the dial.

The bronze-rusty look was also used for the movement, which was customised with 21k gold rotor bears and rose-gold gears.

Rolex Daytona Rusty, Artisans de Geneve signature
Image: Artisans de Genève
Rolex Daytona Rusty, sub dial and bezel close up
Image: Artisans de Genève
Rolex Daytona Rusty, sub dial and dial close up
Image: Artisans de Genève

How much? Well, this is a one-off project so the price was not disclosed.

But bear in mind that Rolex Daytona 116520 models – just like this one – cost between $35,000 and $50,000, and I wouldn’t be surprised if the customisation work added another $50,000 to the bill.

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user

Experienced content creator with a strong focus on cars and watches. Alessandro penned the first-ever post on the Supercar Blondie website and covers cars, watches, yachts, real estate and crypto. Former DriveTribe writer, fixed gear bike owner, obsessed with ducks for some reason.