Artisans de Genève debuted a new aftermarket skeletonized Rolex Daytona Chronograph this week, customized for former professional cyclist Lance Armstrong.

The Artisans de Genève Lance Armstrong Skeleton Rolex Daytona uses a discontinued Rolex Daytona Ref. 116520 — which has a 40 mm x 12 mm stainless steel case — as the base for the bespoke project. To achieve this look, the team at Artisans de Genève requires a payment of $45,000 in addition to the cost of sourcing a Rolex Daytona Ref. 116250 on the secondary market.

For that price, Artisans de Genève removes much of the dial and material from the movement as well, including both the running seconds subdial (at 9 o’clock) and the automatic oscillating weight — allowing for the dial and movement to have an openworked look. The caseback has been customized to include a sapphire window, so the openworked view is available on both sides.

The stainless steel case has been retained but the pushers and crown have been given a black coating, with bright yellow highlights. The factory bezel has been replaced with a customized black ceramic bezel, also with yellow accents. The flange has been customized to include a pulsations scale which works with the custom yellow-arrow-tipped, lightning bolt-shaped chronograph seconds hand. Additional yellow accents have also been used for the dial and for the customized black rubber strap. The yellow is a nod to the signature hue of the USPS cycling team Armstrong used to lead.

This is a unique piece, however, Artisans de Genève is open for requests. With the customizations and the cost of sourcing a Rolex Daytona Ref. 116520, you’re looking at north of $75,000.

 

Photo by Artisans de Genève.