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Artisans de Genève La Montoya: The Custom Rolex Daytona Explained

La Montoya is Artisans de Genève’s custom Daytona project for Juan Pablo Montoya. Compare the original steel 116520 version with La Montoya Rose and its 116505 base.
Estimate3–4 min Catalogued SpecialistWatchRanker Team
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La Montoya is a bespoke Rolex Cosmograph Daytona created by independent Swiss workshop Artisans de Genève for racing driver Juan Pablo Montoya. It is a client-specific customization—not a standard Rolex model—and its details differ by version. The original steel watch is based on Daytona reference 116520; the later La Montoya Rose is based on reference 116505, according to the maker.

What is the Artisans de Genève La Montoya?

La Montoya began as a client-requested project. Artisans de Genève says Montoya brought the idea to the workshop in 2016 and that the first fully skeletonized example was completed in 2018. The maker describes La Montoya Rose as part of an ongoing collaboration. Artisans de Genève’s La Montoya Rose page presents the work as a customization of an existing Daytona, rather than a factory Rolex edition.

The name covers distinct iterations, so specifications should be tied to the particular version. In particular, the original steel La Montoya and the rose-gold La Montoya Rose have different base references and materials.

Which Rolex Daytona is La Montoya based on?

Version Base Daytona Case and bracelet Source and qualification
Original La Montoya Rolex Daytona reference 116520 Steel; modification status not stated in the cited launch coverage Fratello’s 2018 launch coverage
La Montoya Rose Rolex Daytona reference 116505 Rose gold; the maker says the case and bracelet are original and unmodified Artisans de Genève’s current project page

These references identify different versions, not conflicting descriptions of one watch. The 116520 is the base cited for the original steel project; the maker lists the 116505 for La Montoya Rose.

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What was changed on the original steel La Montoya?

Fratello’s 2018 coverage describes a combination of visible custom work and movement changes:

  • A handmade skeleton dial.
  • A forged-carbon tachymeter bezel.
  • A modified, skeletonized Rolex caliber 4130 movement.
  • A 22-carat grey-gold rotor.
  • A transparent sapphire caseback with individual engraving.

These are details reported for the original steel version; they should not automatically be attributed to La Montoya Rose.

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How is La Montoya Rose different?

Artisans de Genève lists a different mix of materials and finishing for the Rose version:

  • A forged-carbon bezel with a rose-gold ring.
  • A skeleton dial using blue, yellow and red, described as Montoya/Colombia signature colors.
  • Diamond-cut colored hands.
  • A skeletonized caliber 4130 with anthracite NAC finish and a hand-beveled balance bridge.
  • A satin-finished 22K gold rotor.
  • The original case and bracelet, which the maker says are unmodified.

The Rose description identifies a 116505 base, while the original steel project is reported on a 116520. The rotor descriptions also differ: grey gold is specified in Fratello’s account of the steel watch, while the maker specifies satin-finished 22K gold for Rose.

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Was La Montoya made in a limited series?

A Christie’s auction catalogue describes a unique prototype and separately says the limited series launched in 2018 in 50 examples. That distinction matters: the catalogue does not establish that the unique prototype was one of those 50, so the prototype should not be counted as part of the series on this evidence. Christie’s catalogue entry

How does it compare with a factory Rolex Daytona?

Factory Rolex specifications are useful context, but they are not specifications or test results for a modified La Montoya. Rolex’s current product page for factory reference 126579RBR lists a 40 mm white-gold case, caliber 4131, approximately 72 hours of power reserve and 100 metres of water resistance. Those figures apply to that current factory reference, not to the older 116520- or 116505-based custom watches. Rolex’s 126579RBR product page

Rolex’s 2026 newsroom material says the Daytona it discusses is equipped with caliber 4131 and describes a strengthened Superlative Chronometer certification, including a finished-watch precision tolerance of −2/+2 seconds per day. This is a Rolex factory claim for the model discussed there; it does not establish measured accuracy or certification status for a La Montoya with a modified movement. Rolex’s 2026 Daytona newsroom material

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What should a buyer verify?

No current public price, ordinary-stock availability, or verified live resale listing is established here. Because La Montoya is presented as client-requested customization, a specific watch should be assessed on its own documentation and condition rather than inferred from the name alone.

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  • Confirm whether the watch is the original steel version, La Montoya Rose, or another documented iteration.
  • Establish the underlying Rolex reference from the watch’s paperwork and provenance.
  • Check the customization documentation, condition and service history with a qualified specialist.

Rolex says only an official retailer is authorized to sell and service Rolex watches. That statement concerns standard factory Rolex sales and service; it does not establish that an altered La Montoya is sold or serviced under the same terms. Rolex’s buying information

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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