Since I spotted this piece in one of the watch mags back in 2024, I wondered whether any factory would have the interest to take this model on, as I think it is quite unusual, in a good way.
AI Summary on the details-
**Artisans de Genève Daytona "Ventura"** is a bespoke watch customization project that transforms a **Rolex Cosmograph Daytona ref. 116500** into a unique timepiece. The project pays tribute to **Venetian glassmaking**, incorporating **aventurine**, a material whose name means "by chance" in Italian. Aventurine is a blend of **copper and glass**, creating a shimmering effect that makes each dial completely unique.
The watch features a **mirror-polished aventurine dial**, **translucent sapphire**, and **solid rose gold hour markers**, all meticulously crafted by independent artisans. The **bezel and subdials** are also reimagined, with the subdials offering a skeletonized view of the chronograph mechanism. The movement, a **Rolex 4130 caliber**, has been **hand-cut and decorated**, with a **rose gold skeletonized rotor** added for a refined touch.
This customization is a **private commission**, meaning Artisans de Genève does not manufacture or sell watches but instead modifies existing timepieces upon request. The cost for this customization is approximately **34,520 CHF ($40,216 USD)**, though pricing varies depending on the nature of each project.
Info on the original piece
www.artisansdegeneve.com
So how did our Chinese friends do?
Video
AI Summary on the details-
**Artisans de Genève Daytona "Ventura"** is a bespoke watch customization project that transforms a **Rolex Cosmograph Daytona ref. 116500** into a unique timepiece. The project pays tribute to **Venetian glassmaking**, incorporating **aventurine**, a material whose name means "by chance" in Italian. Aventurine is a blend of **copper and glass**, creating a shimmering effect that makes each dial completely unique.
The watch features a **mirror-polished aventurine dial**, **translucent sapphire**, and **solid rose gold hour markers**, all meticulously crafted by independent artisans. The **bezel and subdials** are also reimagined, with the subdials offering a skeletonized view of the chronograph mechanism. The movement, a **Rolex 4130 caliber**, has been **hand-cut and decorated**, with a **rose gold skeletonized rotor** added for a refined touch.
This customization is a **private commission**, meaning Artisans de Genève does not manufacture or sell watches but instead modifies existing timepieces upon request. The cost for this customization is approximately **34,520 CHF ($40,216 USD)**, though pricing varies depending on the nature of each project.
Info on the original piece
Ventura | Artisans de Geneve
Official website of Artisans de Geneve, Swiss watchmakers, Customization Services





So how did our Chinese friends do?





Video