11 November 2013

Yesterday in Geneva, Christie's Rolex Daytona | Lesson ONE auction of 50 Daytona watches achieved a new record for any Rolex Daytona sold at auction. The sale sold 100% by lot and value, with Aurel Bacs of Christie's Geneva on the podium leading this highly successful sale. The top lot was a 1969 'Paul Newman' stainless steel chronograph ref.6263/6239, which sold for just over a million dollars ($1,088,889). This is the highest price paid at auction for any Rolex Daytona and a reflection of the keen interest in these watches. 

Pre-sale estimates ranged from US$10,000 to $300,000, and the sale raised a total of $13,248,167. The anticipation was evident as many of the 50 watches gathered together had never been seen at auction before. 

Aurel Bacs, International Head of Christie's Watch Department, commented: "Christie's first ever evening auction dedicated to wristwatches proved an unprecedented success. With 400 people in the saleroom and plenty more queueing outside, I have rarely experienced a similar rock concert atmosphere from the rostrum. Possibly the most rigorously curated watch auction ever staged, each lot was selected by Christie's watch department in partnership with Mr. Pucci Papaleo according to a disciplined approach to originality, condition and provenance. Setting 50 world records for 50 watches as well as achieving an absolute record price for any Rolex Daytona ever sold at auction, Rolex Daytona | Lesson ONE will be remembered as an historical event."