There’s no doubt that vintage watches grew in popularity in recent years. The passion flourished globally with the connectivity of collectors provided by social media along the rise of popular watch magazines websites that educates the value of these watches.

Vintage watch auctions indicates the extent collectors can go to acquire a unique vintage watch.

2017 marks a historical year in the world of watches So lets have a look at the top 3 most expensive vintage Rolex watches ever sold.

3rd place:

The 18K Yellow Gold Oyster Paul Newman Daytona ” The Legend” 

Sold for $3,717,906

The Paul Newman Daytona dial is a dream watch for any collector,  but what about a very rare yellow gold Paul Newman Daytona with only three of them existed!

Manufactured in 1969 Reference 6263, with a unique lemon colored dial. This beautiful watch was sold by Philips Auction house in May 2017 in Geneva, Switzerland.

 

 

 

 

2nd Place:

Triple Calendar Moonphase Rolex ‘Bao Dai’

Sold for $5,060,427

Just by looking at the watch you will know why! a gold triple calendar Moonphase Rolex with black dial and diamond indexes, owned by Bao Dai the last emperor of Vietnam.

 

While in Geneva, across the road from Bao Dai’s hotel (Hotel des Bergues, now the Four Seasons Hotel) a Rolex dealer Chronometrie Philippe Beguin which Bao Dai visited & asked the staff  “I want the rarest and most precious Rolex ever made” as per Phillips GWA5 Catalog.

The staff presented Bao Dai with unique & exceptional watches but none of them impressed him enough. The retailer then reached out to Rolex & they were able to source this watch.

Manufactured in 1952, the Reference 6062 was sold by Philips Auction house in May 2017 in Geneva, Switzerland.

1st Place:

Paul Newman’s Paul Newman Daytona

Sold for $17,752,500

 

Currently holding the title of the world’s Most Expensive Wristwatch Ever Sold, beating the Stainless Steel Patek Philippe Reference 1518 that was sold in November 2016 at Phillips in Geneva for $11,136,642.

This very watch was the reason behind calling the famous Rolex Daytona dial “Paul Newman Daytona”.

Any watch collector without a doubt will want a Paul Newman Rolex Daytona watch in his collection. Imagine having Paul Newman’s own watch! & that’s why this Auction was a historic record breaking event.

Gifted from his wife Joanne Woodward in 1968/1969 with an engraving on the case back ‘Drive Carefully Me‘.

Manufactured in 1968, the Reference 6239 was sold by Philips Auction house on the 26th of October 2017 in New York, USA.

Will a watch grab the title from Paul Newman’s Daytona soon? Well, let see…

Now enjoy watching the historic auction of Paul Newman’s watch.