Rolex & Other Prestige Watches
With prestige watches demanding such high sums, it is both a fantastic time to sell an unworn, inherited wristwatch as it is to invest in a timepiece for the long term.
With International demand high for vintage timepieces, particularly produced by quality brands, the auction industry is seeing soaring prices. As ever rarity, condition and originality are key factors as well as provenance.
As auctioneers and valuers it is a real privilege to be invited into a home to inspect items for possible sale. In this modern age, and perhaps more than ever in the current global crisis, enquiries come through to us via email, WhatsApp and facebook. It was a simple facebook question in early 2019, “do you sell wristwatches”, that led us to our most recent horde of wonderful vintage wristwatches which we had the pleasure of selling throughout last year. The collection, which had been inherited, consisted of 6 vintage Rolex sports watches, 3 Cartier examples, a Brietling Navitimer and Superocean. Whilst lacking in paperwork and boxes these examples were all authentic and importantly were fresh-to-market.
Below we take a look at three of the rarer Rolex examples, their particulars and the realised auction prices.
Figure 1:
ROLEX GMT-MASTER 'ROOTBEER' WRISTWATCH with jubilee bracelet, reference 1675, serial number 5979862, circa 1979-1980
SOLD - £6,200 + BP ⌚️💥🔨
The exotic colourway of this vintage sports watch certainly catches the eye and although production took place from 1959-1980, examples seldom appear at auction. Against an estimate of £4000-6000, buyers scrambled to add it to their collection eventually realising just above the top estimate. It may not be to everyone’s liking but the wristwatches we wear are a personal choice and certainly reveal a little about the individual wearing them. It is a statement piece straight out of the 70’s that is sure to turn some heads.
Figure 2:
ROLEX GMT-MASTER 'FUCHSIA' WRISTWATCH with later jubilee bracelet, reference 1675, serial number 1980547, circa 1966-67
SOLD - £13,000 + BP ⌚️💥🔨
My personal favourite from the single-owner collection had to be the gorgeous GMT-Master ‘Fuchsia’. Boasting all original components, apart from a later bracelet, interest pre-sale was understandably high. Over the previous five decades the metallic insert had remained extremely vibrant but had changed colour from red to a consistent fuchsia with the opposing deep blue mellowing. This combination is highly prized by collectors and with telephone and internet interest competing, the watch eventually hammered at a strong £13,000 + BP to a room bidder.
Figure 3:
ROLEX "DAYTONA BIG RED" OYSTER COSMOGRAPH WRISTWATCH with oyster bracelet, reference 6265, serial number 9583016, circa 1986-87
SOLD - £46,000 + BP ⌚️💥🔨
Perhaps the Cosmograph Daytona was always going to be the star of the show and quite rightly so. Launched in 1963 and named after the Daytona speedway in Florida, these chronographs were designed to meet the demands of professional racing drivers. It is arguably the most coveted and iconic of all collectable wristwatches, certainly the holy grail for cosmograph collectors. Understated and timeless, it is a design that is certain to continue to be in high demand in the future and was a pleasure to handle on behalf of the vendor.
As mentioned, none of these watches appeared with any original paperwork, boxes or service history. They were fresh to market and achieved very healthy results following extensive exposure by our team.
We would be delighted to talk to you about any timepiece you may have at home whether a longcase clock, mantel clock, pocket or wristwatch.
Email: charles.hampshire@rogersjones.co.uk
Rolex GMT-Master “Rootbeer” wristwatch
with jubilee bracelet, reference 1675, serial number 5979862, circa 1979-1980
£6,200 + BP

The exotic colourway of this vintage sports watch certainly catches the eye and although production took place from 1959-1980, examples seldom appear at auction. Against an estimate of £4000-6000, buyers scrambled to add it to their collection eventually realising just above the top estimate. It may not be to everyone’s liking but the wristwatches we wear are a personal choice and certainly reveal a little about the individual wearing them. It is a statement piece straight out of the 70’s that is sure to turn some heads.
Rolex GMT-Master “Fuchsia” Wristwatch
with later jubilee bracelet, reference 1675, serial number 1980547, circa 1966-67
£13,000 + BP

My personal favourite from the single-owner collection had to be the gorgeous GMT-Master ‘Fuchsia’. Boasting all original components, apart from a later bracelet, interest pre-sale was understandably high. Over the previous five decades the metallic insert had remained extremely vibrant but had changed colour from red to a consistent fuchsia with the opposing deep blue mellowing. This combination is highly prized by collectors and with telephone and internet interest competing, the watch eventually hammered at a strong £13,000 + BP to a room bidder.
Rolex “Daytona Big Red” Oyster Cosmograph Wristwatch
with oyster bracelet, reference 6265, serial number 9583016, circa 1986-87
£46,000 + BP

Perhaps the Cosmograph Daytona was always going to be the star of the show and quite rightly so. Launched in 1963 and named after the Daytona speedway in Florida, these chronographs were designed to meet the demands of professional racing drivers. It is arguably the most coveted and iconic of all collectable wristwatches, certainly the holy grail for cosmograph collectors. Understated and timeless, it is a design that is certain to continue to be in high demand in the future and was a pleasure to handle on behalf of the vendor.
As mentioned, none of these watches appeared with any original paperwork, boxes or service history. They were fresh to market and achieved very healthy results following extensive exposure by our team.
Below is a selection of prestige wristwatches we have sold at our salerooms in recent years with prices noted.

Sold £46000

Sold £15000

Sold £6800

Sold £12500

Sold £5000

Sold £2700

Sold £5200

Sold £15000

Sold £5500

Sold £5300

Sold £2300

Sold £5800

Sold £980

Sold £1700

Sold £700

Sold £6100

Sold £750

Sold £4200

Sold £650

Sold £550

Sold £7600

Sold £11000

Sold £3200

Sold £2800

Sold £600

Sold £5200

Sold £3300

Sold £1000

Sold £440

Sold £4000

Sold £3200

Sold £13000

Sold £8500

Sold £300

Sold £320

Sold £1100

Sold £1000

Sold £3000

Sold £1000

Sold £1050

Sold £7000

Sold £4000

Sold £18000

Sold £23500

Sold £480

Sold £600

Sold £2800

Sold £1300

Sold £1000

Sold £1200

Sold £1500

Sold £1200

Sold £2000

Sold £5400

Sold £650

Sold £1200

Sold £750

Sold £650

Sold £700

Sold £850

Sold £1000

Sold £1200

Sold £1200

Sold £1300

Sold £1600

Sold £1600

Sold £1980

Sold £2400

Sold £2600

Sold £2600

Sold £3000

Sold £640

Sold £5000

Sold £4000

Sold £1000

Sold £3500

Sold £6200

Sold £2000

Sold £1200

Sold £2400

Sold £2800

Sold £3000

Sold £3400

Sold £4000

Sold £7000

Sold £1920

Sold £1500

Sold £1500

Sold £1600

Sold £1000

Sold £3000

Sold £6000
Watches can be valued free of charge without obligation

Charles Hampshire LLB (Anrh)
ARWERTHWR RHANBARTHOL GORLLEWIN CYMRU, PRISIWR GEMWAITH, ORIORAU A CHWISGI