Drake Take Care Rolex GMT-Master II Ref 116758SANR in 18K YG Unpolished Full Set
This is rare and important Rolex GMT-Master II reference 116758SANR worn on the cover of Drake’s iconic second studio album ‘Take Care’. Released in 2011, ‘Take Care’ is regarded by many Drake fans as his best album, and it is widely considered one of the most important and influential albums of the 2010s. It is a Certified Diamond album by the RIAA selling over 10 million copies (a record achieved by approximately 100 albums in history). The album spent 400 weeks on the Billboard 200 chart, is ranked 95th on Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time, and won Best Rap album of the 55th Grammy Awards (Drake’s first of five Grammys).
Aubrey “Drake” Graham was photographed for the cover art and additional photographs by Hyghly Alleyne and Lamar Taylor wearing this Rolex GMT-Master II reference 116758SANR at Joso's Restaurant (a Toronto-based restaurant established in 1967). Joso’s in fact has photographs in the restaurant of Drake wearing this GMT-Master II. The album’s artwork reflects the emotional and introspection themes of the album. There are few watches that have been featured on the cover of historic album covers, and this is certainly one of the most significant timepieces offered with musical provenance.
The watch appears to have also worn by Drake in the music video Marvin’s Room, however it may be a different watch.
The Rolex GMT-Master II reference 116758SANR was introduced in circa 2006. These were among the most expensive offerings from the manufacturer and made in very limited production due to the extreme intricacy of gem setting. No other company creates gem set watches like Rolex. This is an internal artisanal department within Rolex which utilizes the highest-quality flawless diamonds which are hand-set by master jewelers. These watches are incredibly special from the manufacturer in that they require the most hand intervention with a zero-tolerance for error.
The bezel is inlay with 36 baguette diamonds and 12 black sapphires (one cut in the shape of a triangle). The black sapphires serve as hour indications and can be used to calculate a third time zone. The lugs and crown guards are decorated with diamonds. The caseback is engraved with the OVO Owl logo designed by Nate Willis which symbolizes wisdom and is the hallmark of Drake’s October's Very Own music label and fashion company.
This example was purchased in 2011, and comes from the original owner who was a colleague of Drake during the breakthrough years of the musician’s career.
The yellow gold case measures 40mm in diameter (48mm lug to lug). It is approximately 12mm in height.
The Rolex GMT-Master II reference 116758SANR appears to be rarer than the Rolex “Rainbow” Daytona reference 116595RBOW and Rolex GMT-Master II 126755ASARU with fewer available on the market.
The watch comes with full links. The bracelet has minor wear on the clasp. The case is unpolished. We do not know the service history, but the watch is running well. It comes full set with box and papers.
It comes with OVO memorabilia including jackets, concert tickets….
To learn more about the Rolex GMT-Master you can watch the ‘Reference Points: Understanding The Rolex GMT-Master’ video and corresponding article I produced with HODINKEE. You can also read about the iconic watch in Charlie Dunne’s Collector's Guide: The Rolex GMT-Master Reference 1675 In Steel.
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