rolex Archives - Bob's Watches News

The Most Expensive Rolex Watches

The name Rolex instantly brings to mind luxury and expert craftsmanship. It is no surprise that many Rolex timepieces sell for a high amount. Even the most basic Rolex watches sell for a few thousand dollars. Over time, many Rolex timepieces have come up for auction, selling for thousands and even millions of dollars. Here is a list of some of the most expensive Rolex watches ever sold:

• 1942 Rolex Chronograph – This unique model is considered one of the most expensive watches ever sold. It is also one of the rarest. Released in 1942, Rolex only made 12 units which feature a nickel finish and lever 17 jewels movement and silver matte dial with pink gold Arabic and baton numerals. Originally estimated at a value of $680,000, a single example sold for $1.16 million at a Christie’s auction.

• Eric Clapton’s 1971 Rolex Daytona – Anything Eric Clapton owned is highly valued, including his Rolex timepiece. This unique watch features a silver monochrome dial which led to its nickname “Albino.” This is considered a rarer Rolex timepiece and is typically valued at around $100,000. However, because Clapton wore this specific one, it sold for $505,000.

• Rolex GMT 116769TBR – With its use of luxurious and highly prized materials, this watch is considered the priciest timepiece to ever come directly from the company. It features a stunning diamond encrusted dial with luminous hour markers. The 18k white gold case is also encrusted with 76 brilliant round diamonds. This particular watch sold for $485,350.

• James Bond 1973 Rolex 5513 – In the classic Bond film Live and Let Die, Roger Moore wore a Rolex 5513. This classic watch features a stainless steel body and white on black dial. Because it was worn by “James Bond,” it also offers a razor disc, buzz saw and a magnetic field generator. This highly prized and unique timepiece sold for $450,000 at auction.

• Paul Newman Rolex Daytona – The Paul Newman Daytona has long been the signature watch of the company. Its stunning casing and dial are made of 14k champagne gold. The dial is fitted with a tachometer and three highly recognizable black interior sub dials for optimal contrast. This timepiece is extremely rare, with only 200 units made. One of these rare watches sold for $106,273 at auction.

Rolex Air King Watches – An Enduring Model

The Rolex Air King watch is considered one of Rolex’s most enduring models. Its long history dates back to the 1930s. Prior to World War II, Rolex Oyster Perpetual wristwatches were utilized by British pilots because of their reliability and precision. When Rolex learned that British pilots preferred their watches, the company created the special “Air” family. The first version of this unique watch was released in 1945 and acted as a conglomeration of all the “Air” watches. Because of its association with British pilots, this unique timepiece was nicknamed the “Warrior Watch.”

Measuring 34mm, this unique watch was available in gold plating and featured a unique two-tone bezel and bracelet. This two-tone look makes it perfect for a nice dinner or a day in the office. Like many other Rolex watches, this particular version utilizes a watertight Oyster case and screw down Twinlock crown, letting it remain waterproof up to 100 meters. Inside, the watch utilizes a 27-jewel movement. Unlike similar watches like the Day Date, this particular timepiece is fairly simple and does not feature a date aperture or other additional feature. This leaves the dial clear and uncluttered. The watch’s stick hands add to this feel, giving the watch a “no nonsense” and simple look.

The watch was left relatively untouched until 1989 when it received a movement improvement. By 2007, it was a fully certified COSC chronometer. However, in 2014 Rolex ended this special line of watches. Despite it no longer being in production, this unique timepiece is readily available on the pre-owned Rolex watch market. Its tough practicality and durability, accompanied by a simplistic style, has drawn a wide range of admirers and buyers. If you are looking for an elegant and simple watch that is perfect for any moment in your life, from a formal gathering to a relaxed weekend cookout, this unique Rolex timepiece is the perfect choice.

Rare Eric Clapton Rolex Daytona 6263 Oyster “Albino” Beats World Records at Auction

rolex daytona albino — Image courtesy of Phillips

A famous Rolex ref 6263 Oyster “Albino” Daytona that once graced the wrist of famous guitarist Eric Clapton has gone up for auction in Geneva. To everyone’s surprise, the extremely rare watch broke the record for any Rolex timepiece that has even been sold at auction. Selling for $1.4 million, the Oyster Albino Daytona once belonging to Eric Clapton set a new world record.

Aside from belonging to one of the most famous guitarists of all time, the Rolex ref 6263 is only one of four such watches known to exist. This “holy grail” of Rolex watches is so sought after because of its rarity and unique “Albino” coloring. The watch offers a gorgeous silvered dial and silvered chronograph subdials, giving it a very light and almost washed-out look. This led to the watch being nicknamed the “Albino” Daytona. This timepiece is a drastic contrast to the typical Daytona of the time period which features contrasting black chronograph subdials with white printing.

Rolex ref 6263 is considered a vintage watch and was originally produced in 1971. This particular model was bought by Clapton in the late 1990s. Within its waterproof stainless steel case is the manually wound caliber 727 movement. The watch also features a matching stainless steel bracelet.

Breaking World Records

This is not the first time this particular watch has gone up for auction, nor the first time it has set a world record. On June 5, 2003 the same Clapton Albino watch was auctioned at Sotheby’s New York where it successfully smashed the previous world record for the sale of a Rolex Cosmograph Daytona at auction by selling for $505,000. This was five times its pre-auction estimate. It has again surprised experts with this last sale of $1.4 million with its pre-auction estimate at $500,000.

Rolex WWII ‘Great Escape’ Watch Could Fetch Nearly $40,000 at Auction

vintage rolex watch — Image Courtesy of Esquire

The Rolex company has produced a wide range of watches for the armed forces around the world for most of its history. It is no surprise that some of these watches have seen action in battle and witnessed historic events. One such Rolex watch is set to go up for sale at auction in England.

In December 1942, Flight Lieutenant Gerald Imeson ordered and received a Rolex Oyster Chronograph while being held as a prisoner of war (PoW) in the Stalag Luft III camp in Germany. During this troubling time, Rolex allowed British PoWs who were officers to replace any timepieces seized by the German soldiers and settle their balance once the war had concluded.

This typical watch of the time period was worn on Imeson’s wrist while he famously dug three tunnels to escape in 1944. This even became known as the “Great Escape” and has been immortalized in film and legend. Unfortunately, Imeson, who was 172 in line to escape, was unable to do so before the German guards discovered the tunnels. By 1945, the Soviet army was closing in on the prison. To counter, the Germans forced the PoWs, including Imeson, on the “Long March.” Without protection from the hostile winter conditions and without food, Imeson miraculously survived and made it to another PoW camp. Upon arriving, Imeson and his Rolex watch were transported by cattle truck to Tarmstedt Ost on February 4 and later to Marlag-Milag Nord Royal Naval PoW camp. Imeson remained there until April 1945 when the camp was liberated by the Allied forces. After the war had concluded, Imeson returned to Britain where he paid off his balance to Rolex of £170.

Currently, this special piece of history is being held at the Bourne End Auction Rooms in Buckinghamshire where expert appraisers believe it will sell for $38,000 or more. Those who decide to bid on this special timepiece will have a unique opportunity to gain a rare piece of history as well as a durable, reliable and timeless watch.