A pair of Rolex Daytonas – from 1971 and 2024 – have both exceeded their low estimates at a Geneva auction.
To the untrained eye, the two watches look very similar.
The first was made over 50 years ago and realised CHF1,008,000, around £925,000.
The unmistakeable colours of the JPS Racing team make it clear this 1970s watch was made for serious racers. Image courtesy of Christie’s.
The second was manufactured as recently as last year and made CHF214,200, just under £192,000.
The 1970s model was a Paul Newman John Player Special model, reference 6264.
Christie’s, who sold it in Geneva this week, describe it as “an outstandingly rare, important and highly attractive” watch that they believe is the first 14k version of this reference to be offered at auction.
It easily exceeded its low estimate of around £715,000.
The modern model surpassed its predicted floor of £135,000 too.
The yellow-gold case marks this 2024 watch out as something highly special. Image courtesy of Christie’s.
Selling for nearly £192,000, this 2024 Daytona was box fresh, and sold by Christie’s as “stickered”.
It was also a first: a special edition Le Mans Daytona, it was made to celebrate the centenary of the world’s favourite endurance motor race, and reserved for an extremely special clientele.
Christie’s said: “Completely ‘off-catalogue,’ the yellow gold ‘Le Mans’ Daytona is a VIP-exclusive, invitation-only model, with each owner hand-picked by Rolex CEO Jean-Frédéric Dufour.”
We do know Roger Federer has owned one, as the model was first spotted under his cuff at the 2024 US Open.
Daytonas are among the most recognisable watches in history and almost every variety is fought over and sought after.
Paul Newman is closely linked with the reference, several of which are named for him. Newman was a keen racer, and a Daytona he owned sold for $17.8 million in 2017, a record for a wrist watch.
The Richard Mille trademark skeleton style remains in demand at the top of the watch market. Image courtesy of Christie’s.
The most valuable item at the sale, Rare Watches, Featuring Stories in Time: A Collection of Exceptional Watches, which closed on Monday, May 12, was a Richard Mille Rafael Nadal model from a 2019 issue of just five pieces. It made £1.1 million.
