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Drake’s collection of Rolex watches continues to expand after posting videos of a Daytona “Asprey” with a turquoise dial and matching coloured gemstones set into the bezel.
Drake’s watch collection is truly staggering, featuring the horological world's rarest and complicated watches like off-catalogue factory-set diamond Rolex watches to the Patek Philippe Nautilus Perpetual Calendar reference 5740/1G.
Recently, Drake posted videos on his social media holding and wearing a Rolex Daytona but not just any Daytona, a potential off-catalogue or exclusive limited release between Rolex and British jewellers Asprey. This is a truly stunning piece but it has us wondering whether it is a factory-set model or if there are high quality aftermarket settings applied to this watch.
Key Features of Drake’s Rolex Daytona “Asprey” Reference 116509
(Rolex Daytona "Asprey," images taken from watchballers.ig)
Firstly, let’s go through some of the details about this Daytona model. Using our knowledge, we recognise this as a 116 reference due to the thicker hour markers and shorter lugs which was changed for the newer 126 reference of the Daytona, featuring thinner hour markers and longer lugs.
This includes a stunning turquoise dial with black sub-dial rings which looks similar to the newly released Daytona “Tiffany” reference 126518LN that was unveiled at this year’s Watches and Wonders. Whilst the newly released reference 126518LN gets the “Tiffany” nickname aligned to the model without it being an official collaboration, this model Drake has been seen wearing is an official collaboration between Rolex and Asprey. Clearly, the Asprey name is written on the dial in a bold black font, placed just below the Cosmograph writing. Interestingly enough, the Asprey font used on this turquoise dial is different from the brand’s actual font which is lighter and thinner.
Another key feature is the matching coloured gemstone set bezel that reflects the colour of the dial beautifully. Typically, when there are gemstones set into a bezel, it means the watch is produced out of Rolex’s precious materials such as gold or platinum. It is difficult to work out exactly whether it is white gold or platinum but by judging previous models released as a collaboration between Rolex and Asprey, we believe it is white gold.
History between Rolex and Asprey
(Rolex & Asprey buildings in London, images taken from WatchPro & Foster + Partners)
Both brands have identical origins tracing back to England with Asprey establishing earlier in 1781, founded in Surrey before moving to central London whilst Rolex was formed in 1905, starting out in the capital. Rolex and Asprey go way back with their relationship dating back to the 1970s, creating watches for the Omani government during the 70s and 80s.
Since then, there have been very few collaborated pieces that feature Asprey’s name on the dial or on the caseback of a Rolex watch. It is incredibly rare for a brand to collaborate with Rolex and even have their name engraved into their watches demonstrating Asprey’s significance in the jewellery industry. This collaboration is perfect, blending the pair’s legacies and incredible craftsmanship to produce very beautiful and exclusive models.
3 Examples of Rolex and Asprey’s Collaborated Pieces
As mentioned, there have been a select few pieces created from Rolex in collaboration with Asprey but the majority are Daytona models which helps Drake’s case when coming to a conclusion on whether the piece is factory-set or aftermarket. Before we answer that question, let’s take a look at some collaborated pieces that have been released by Rolex and Asprey and sold through Sotheby’s auctions.
Rolex Daytona 116509 “Asprey” Piece Unique
(Rolex Daytona "Asprey" 116509, images taken from Sotheby's)
Firstly, we start with this stunning piece unique, “1 of 1” Rolex Daytona reference 116509 which is extremely striking to the eye. This white gold Daytona features a conspicuous purple dial that is truly captivating that speaks royalty and elegance with a darker shade of purple incorporated for the sub-dials to add depth. Like Drake’s Rolex and Asprey Daytona, this piece unique has a matching coloured amethyst-set bezel, complementing the dial perfectly. Amethyst is the purple variety of crystalline quartz and has historical traces being linked to royalty and religion.
Rolex Daytona White Gold Ice/Diamonds Diamond Set Custom Watch 116509
- ▪18ct White Gold with Custom Bezel
- ▪Ice Blue Dial with diamonds hour markers and diamond set shoulders
- ▪Automatic Movement
Of course, Asprey’s traditional brand logo is engraved into the dial, just below Rolex’s name, and the back of the white gold case along with a “1/1” marking. The font used for Asprey’s logo is the conventional writing used for their name, as seen on their website which differs from the bold and italic form seen on Drake’s Daytona “Asprey.” Focusing on this piece unique, this has to be one of the most underrated collaborations out there in the horological world. This sold at the Sotheby’s auction for $330,200!
Rolex Daytona 116518LN “Asprey”
(Rolex Daytona "Asprey" 116518LN, images taken from Sotheby's)
Next is an interesting Daytona reference 116518LN that looks similar to a very sought after Daytona model known as the “John Mayer” reference 116508. The similarities of the two references includes the material production of 18ct yellow gold and the stunning sunburst green dial. However, the differences are the bezel and bracelet with the Asprey version incorporating a black ceramic bezel and green leather strap in comparison to the 116508’s non-ceramic bezel and yellow gold Oyster bracelet.
Yes, the main difference is the Asprey engraving in the dial and caseback but the fonts are different. Engraved into the caseback is the traditional Asprey font but on the dial, we notice an italic form identical to Drake’s Daytona “Asprey.” Another interesting part about this watch is that the green dial was never configured with the 116518 reference, only the non-ceramic reference. Being paired with the green leather strap really brings this piece together and is clearly a theme of Rolex and Asprey’s collaborations to incorporate matching coloured parts. This piece sold for $144,000!
Rolex Daytona 116500LN “Asprey” Piece Unique
(Rolex Daytona "Asprey" 116500LN, images taken from Sotheby's)
Lastly is the Rolex Daytona reference 116500LN which is a piece unique with only one produced and available worldwide. The collaborated model is manufactured in Oystersteel featuring a vibrant yellow dial that pops brightly due to the black ceramic bezel. Once again, Asprey is engraved into the dial using the italic format and also into the caseback using their traditional brand logo.
Clearly, the collaborated pieces love to go bold and this yellow dial is a perfect example in achieving this. This model sold for $96,000 through the Sotheby’s auction which is pretty insane for a stainless steel watch, regardless of Rolex and Asprey’s partnership in making this piece. Another reason this exceeded selling expectations is because the model is a 1 of 1 making it extremely rare and exclusive.
Is Drake’s Daytona “Asprey” Factory or Aftermarket
(Rolex Daytona "Asprey," images taken from watchballers.ig)
Judging from videos it is never easy to determine whether a watch is factory-set or has had aftermarket applications, especially when the video shot is only looking down at the watch's face.
There are more similarities than differences with Drake’s Rolex “Asprey” when comparing with other Rolex “Asprey” models, proving the case for his Daytona being factory-set. The Asprey engraving on the dial is written in italic form similar to the stainless steel piece unique and there is a beautiful light blue gem-set bezel like the amethyst-set bezel part of the 116509 piece unique.
Reportedly, Drake obtained his Daytona “Asprey” through a private Sotheby's sale for an estimated total of $150,000 - $250,000 but with this auction being private and a very exclusive piece, there is very little documented indicating that it is most likely a piece unique or 1 of 1. Strangely, there is another Rolex Daytona “Asprey” with identical features that was sold at a Christie’s auction in June last year. This was a Daytona 116509 with a turquoise dial but the Asprey writing on the dial is the traditional font used for their logo, also engraved in the caseback.
Drake’s watch collection is huge, he even flexed that he owns “a hundred-and-forty-three Rolexes” in his song “It’s Up” featuring Young Thug and 21 Savage. In his collection, he has been spotted wearing some insane Rolex watches, including off-catalogue models that are only accessible to VIP clientele. One example being his iced-out Rolex Sky-Dweller reference 326959TBR which features factory-set diamonds all over the watch!
Drake isn’t about aftermarket settings as he is a VIP client to Rolex and even other brands due to his coveted music career and celebrity profile. Therefore, it is most likely that this Daytona “Asprey” features factory-settings and is simply a piece unique with only one produced.
Can we Create and Produce an Identical Custom Version?
Anything is possible here at Time 4 Diamonds, producing custom watches since 2005, in fact we have already created a mock-up giving you the opportunity to own an identical piece to Drake. We have access to natural gemstones and diamonds, even different materials that are used to create rare dials manufactured by our in-house team of gemologists and artisans with years of experience.
Our proven track record demonstrates we are capable of producing the highest quality of custom watches, even taking inspiration from off-catalogue Rolex watches like our popular Daytona “Rainbow” or one of our most successful projects in recent times, the Yacht-Master 40 “Cotton Candy.” We explored this in a recent blog, answering whether customisation is the solution in achieving an off-catalogue piece.
For more information regarding what you are available for customisation, browse our collection of custom watches and understand the process in getting your own bespoke timepiece.
