If regular stainless steel Rolex Daytonas seem scarce nowadays, just imagine how hard it is to run into a modified Rolex Daytona like the Artisans de Genève Rubens Barrichello Gold Daytona we are talking about. Artisans de Genève is a watchmaking workshop based in Geneva, Switzerland that offers exclusive service of watch modification for private customers. Their modifications are made exclusively upon request, at their workshops in Switzerland, all done by independent and highly skilled watchmakers. It all began when Rubens Barrichello —the former Formula One driver— came to them with the extraordinary project of turning his stainless steel Rolex Daytona into an open-worked watch that had a similar look and feel of racing cars.

The second reinterpretation that followed was to turn his Rolex Cosmograph Daytona ref. 116505 Everose into yet another open-worked masterpiece. Inspired by the automotive world, Artisans de Genève has made a series of extremely technical modifications to the automatic Rolex calibre 4130. Each detail, each element, is a tribute to this exceptional pilot and his love for racing.

Rubens Barrichello has always had a particular affection for watchmaking and the mechanism lying behind each timepiece. As you guys know, the first watch ever released for this Formula One driver was the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Rubens Barrichello 1 pictured below.

If we had to pick one word to reflect the design of the Artisans de Genève Rubens Barrichello Gold Rolex Daytona, it would be “technique”. It was an extraordinary challenge to reimagine this champion’s Rolex Daytona while keeping up to his codes and inspirations. Each modification is a performance, the meeting between craftsmanship and cutting-edge technology.

Details About the Modification

First, as far as the exterior modification goes, the Rolex Cerachrom bezel is replaced by a ceramic bezel developed in the workshops of Artisans de Genève in Switzerland. The inscription “Tachymetre” is painted by hand first in white and then in red to give it a much sportier look.

The asymmetrical, beveled, and hand-skeletonized dial is a reminder of the automotive world. Aiming at simplicity, Rubens Barrichello wanted a matte dial, with an intense black that would reveal each detail of the skeletonized movement. Even the mainspring barrel has been fully skeletonized and its winding turns into a real treat for the eyes.

The customization is entirely made by hand. Beyond the movement, each detail on the watch was carefully thought through and designed with Rubens Barrichello. From the sandblasted lugs to the counters featuring three red and white arrow-shaped hands, entirely decorated by hand, to the raw look and straight lines across the open-worked dial, all perfectly reflect the world of car racing. A minute-hours black ring features dot markers with superluminova to allow for perfect readability even in the lowest lighting conditions.

When it comes to the back of the movement, Artisans de Genève wanted to develop a different rotor based on the shape of Rubens Barrichello’s F1 car. Made from a piece of solid 21K gold, the rotor is fully machined, open-worked and beveled by hand. Lastly, it is treated with a Black DLC coating and inscribed with two stars flanking Rubens Barrichello's name on it. The work to skeletonize the movement takes up to 260 hours of work.

With regards to the display case back, this is a work of art with a beautiful sandblasted finish and engraving of the words “Artisans de Genève”, “Rubens Barrichello” and “Limited Edition”, all flanked by stars. Additionally, Artisans de Genève adds the client’s initials —photoshopped here to protect the owner’s identity— right in between the words “Artisans de Genève” and “Rubens Barrichello”.

A unique movement, particular shapes, exceptional curves, and an extraordinary mechanism. Artisans de Genève has managed to achieve a technical prowess, each detail is perfectly executed with the same concern for extreme perfection that we find in the racing world. Additionally, Artisans de Genève developed a rose gold balance bridge, crafted, beveled and polished by hand —an operation that takes about 7 hours from start to finish. This particular bridge piece is made by a young watchmaker named Julien Tixier in the Vallée de Joux. This young watchmaker brilliantly combines the most accurate watchmaking techniques with the most delicate finishes. Another one of the main characteristics of the Artisans de Genève Rubens Barrichello Gold Rolex Daytona watch is its straight lines. Emphasized by the beveling —know-how requiring a perfect execution that only a few craftsmen can manage to achieve—, Artisans de Genève works with Philippe Narbel, a beveling expert, to make sure that this meticulous finishing technique is uniquely sharp and flawlessly done.

On the Wrist & Price

On the wrist, this modified Everose Rolex Daytona ref. 116505 is what we like to describe as what watch dreams are made of. An incredible looking watch as unique and flawlessly executed as it gets. Honestly, Bamford customized Daytonas have nothing on this piece. To make things even more interesting, Artisans de Genève delivers this modification with a black Rubber B rubber strap that was exclusively designed for this project and entirely handmade at Rubber B’s swiss workshop.

Approximate Sticker Price $130,000 USD. For more info on Artisans de Genève click here.