The most expensive Rolex and the most expensive pocket watch in auction history

The most popular Rolex watch in the auction market is definitely the Paul Newman Daytona. In 2017, the Ref. 6239 Paul Newman Daytona watch worn by the last century superstar Paul Newman himself was unveiled at the Phillips auction. This watch was given by Paul Newman’s wife. The words “Drive Carefully Me” were engraved on the back, which was of great significance. He often wore it to different occasions at that time. In the end, this watch was sold for about US$17.78 million, more than NT$500 million, setting a record for the highest price of a watch in the world and also setting a record for the most expensive Rolex watch. At the end of 2020, also at the Phillips auction, the Rolex Big Red Daytona Ref. 6263 owned by Paul Newman was sold for more than US$5.47 million, about NT$105.41 million, becoming the third highest auction record in Rolex history.

Why is it worth buying antique watches at auctions?

The unique storytelling and time traces of antique watches drive many collectors crazy, but finding a trustworthy source is the most important thing in the collection process. According to watch collector and critic Zeng Shixin, there are three main reasons why antique watches are worth buying at auctions:

1. Authentication by experienced auction houses.
2. Watch experts will disassemble the antique watches, take close-up photos, and ask relevant units to authenticate them.
3. Because after expert analysis, if the watch is confirmed to be “period-matched”, that is, all the components of the entire watch are from the same period and have not been replaced, such a watch is valuable.

The most complicated pocket watch in auction history?

Patek Philippe’s ultra-precision pocket watch Henry Graves was sold at Sotheby’s in Geneva in 2014 for approximately US$11.01 million, equivalent to a sky-high price of more than NT$300 million, setting a world record. The first owner of this watch, which was once the most complicated pocket watch in the world, was Henry Graves Jr., a well-known New York banker and watch fanatic collector. He ordered it from Patek Philippe in 1925. It has 24 complex functions, including a super perpetual calendar, a New York astronomical chart, musical chimes, a minute repeater, an alarm, a chronograph and other precise calculations. It was handcrafted nearly a hundred years ago and has extraordinary craftsmanship. It is not only complex and unique, but also has been collected by top collectors, thus setting a world record.