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Rolex & Other Prestige Watches

Pre-used prestige watches are demanding high sums. It really is 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.

The collection was split into two auctions and realised over £100,000. Below are some highlights from the collection:

Rolex GMT-Master “Rootbeer” wristwatch

with jubilee bracelet, reference 1675, serial number 5979862, circa 1979-1980

£6,200 + BP

Rolex 'Root Beer'

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

Rolex GMT-Master 'Fuchsia'

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

Rolex Daytona 'Big Red'

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.

Rolex Daytona
Rolex Daytona
Sold £46000
Rolex Single Red Submariner Wristwatch
Rolex Single Red Submariner Wristwatch
Sold £15000
18K Gold Rolex Day-Date Wristwatch
18K Gold Rolex Day-Date Wristwatch
Sold £6800
Rolex Oyster Perpetual GMT Master Wristwatch
Rolex Oyster Perpetual GMT Master Wristwatch
Sold £12500
Circa 1966 Rolex Oyster Perpetual Explorer
Circa 1966 Rolex Oyster Perpetual Explorer
Sold £5000
Breitling Chronomat Wristwatch
Breitling Chronomat Wristwatch
Sold £2700
Rolex Milgauss Wristwatch
Rolex Milgauss Wristwatch
Sold £5200
Rolex Submariner 'Kermit' Wristwatch
Rolex Submariner 'Kermit' Wristwatch
Sold £15000
Rolex Datejust II
Rolex Datejust II
Sold £5500
Rolex GMT Mariner
Rolex GMT Mariner
Sold £5300
Rolex Oysterdate Wristwatch
Rolex Oysterdate Wristwatch
Sold £2300
18K Gold Rolex Wristwatch
18K Gold Rolex Wristwatch
Sold £5800
Baume Mercier Wristwatch
Baume Mercier Wristwatch
Sold £980
Breitling Navitimer Wristwatch
Breitling Navitimer Wristwatch
Sold £1700
Omega 18K Gold Wristwatch
Omega 18K Gold Wristwatch
Sold £700
Rolex GMT Master II
Rolex GMT Master II
Sold £6100
Omega 18K Gold Wristwatch
Omega 18K Gold Wristwatch
Sold £750
Military Dirty Dozen Wristwatch
Military Dirty Dozen Wristwatch
Sold £4200
Omega Constellation Wristwatch
Omega Constellation Wristwatch
Sold £650
Omega Wristwatch
Omega Wristwatch
Sold £550
Rolex Submariner
Rolex Submariner
Sold £7600
Patek Philippe Wristwatch
Patek Philippe Wristwatch
Sold £11000
Rolex Datejust Wristwatch
Rolex Datejust Wristwatch
Sold £3200
Gold Wristwatch
Gold Wristwatch
Sold £2800
1960s Pulsar Watch
1960s Pulsar Watch
Sold £600
1980s Gentleman's Rolex
1980s Gentleman's Rolex
Sold £5200
Patek Philippe Wristwatch
Patek Philippe Wristwatch
Sold £3300
1940's Heuer Wristwatch
1940's Heuer Wristwatch
Sold £1000
Omega Wristwatch
Omega Wristwatch
Sold £440
Ladies Rolex Earring Set
Ladies Rolex Earring Set
Sold £4000
Patek Philippe
Patek Philippe
Sold £3200
Rolex GMT Fuchsia
Rolex GMT Fuchsia
Sold £13000
Rolex Submariner
Rolex Submariner
Sold £8500
Ladies Rolex Oyster Wristwatch
Ladies Rolex Oyster Wristwatch
Sold £300
9CT Gold Mappin & Webb Wristwatch
9CT Gold Mappin & Webb Wristwatch
Sold £320
Breitling Chrono Avenger Wrist Watch
Breitling Chrono Avenger Wrist Watch
Sold £1100
Rolex Precision Wrist Watch
Rolex Precision Wrist Watch
Sold £1000
Rolex Air King Wristwatch
Rolex Air King Wristwatch
Sold £3000
Breitling Chronograph Wristwatch
Breitling Chronograph Wristwatch
Sold £1000
18 CT Rolex Wristwatch
18 CT Rolex Wristwatch
Sold £1050
Rolex Submariner Wristwatch
Rolex Submariner Wristwatch
Sold £7000
Boucheron 18 CT Gold Diamond Wristwatch
Boucheron 18 CT Gold Diamond Wristwatch
Sold £4000
Grana WWII British Military Issue Wristwatch
Grana WWII British Military Issue Wristwatch
Sold £18000
Rolex Gold Diamond Calendar Wristwatch
Rolex Gold Diamond Calendar Wristwatch
Sold £23500
9 CT Gold Jaeger Wristwatch
9 CT Gold Jaeger Wristwatch
Sold £480
9 CT Gold Omega Wristwatch
9 CT Gold Omega Wristwatch
Sold £600
Breitling Transocean Chronograph Wristwatch
Breitling Transocean Chronograph Wristwatch
Sold £2800
Cartier Panthere Wristwatch
Cartier Panthere Wristwatch
Sold £1300
Cartier Roadster Bracelet Watch
Cartier Roadster Bracelet Watch
Sold £1000
Omega Military Issue Wristwatch
Omega Military Issue Wristwatch
Sold £1200
TAG Heuer Calibre 1 Chronograph Wristwatch
TAG Heuer Calibre 1 Chronograph Wristwatch
Sold £1500
TAG Heuer Monaco Chronograph Wristwatch
TAG Heuer Monaco Chronograph Wristwatch
Sold £1200
TAG Heuer Monaco Chronograph Wristwatch
TAG Heuer Monaco Chronograph Wristwatch
Sold £2000
Tudor Calendar Wristwatch
Tudor Calendar Wristwatch
Sold £5400
18 CT White Gold Tissot Ladies Wristwatch
18 CT White Gold Tissot Ladies Wristwatch
Sold £650
Breitling Navitimer Chronograph Wristwatch
Breitling Navitimer Chronograph Wristwatch
Sold £1200
Omega Chronostop Wristwatch
Omega Chronostop Wristwatch
Sold £750
18CT White Gold Tissot Ladies Wristwatch
18CT White Gold Tissot Ladies Wristwatch
Sold £650
18 CT Gold Longines Wristwatch
18 CT Gold Longines Wristwatch
Sold £700
Lemania Dirty Dozen Wristwatch
Lemania Dirty Dozen Wristwatch
Sold £850
Omega Chronograph Wristwatch
Omega Chronograph Wristwatch
Sold £1000
Seiko 18 CT Gold Wristwatch
Seiko 18 CT Gold Wristwatch
Sold £1200
Omega 9 CT Gold Wristwatch
Omega 9 CT Gold Wristwatch
Sold £1200
Rolex 9 CT Gold Wristwatch
Rolex 9 CT Gold Wristwatch
Sold £1300
Breitling Chronograph Wristwatch
Breitling Chronograph Wristwatch
Sold £1600
Rolex 9 CT Gold Wristwatch
Rolex 9 CT Gold Wristwatch
Sold £1600
Longines 18 CT Gold Wristwatch
Longines 18 CT Gold Wristwatch
Sold £1980
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date Wristwatch
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date Wristwatch
Sold £2400
Tag Heuer Monaco Wristwatch
Tag Heuer Monaco Wristwatch
Sold £2600
Rolex Datejust Wristwatch
Rolex Datejust Wristwatch
Sold £2600
Rolex Datejust Wristwatch
Rolex Datejust Wristwatch
Sold £3000
Omega 9 CT Gold Wristwatch
Omega 9 CT Gold Wristwatch
Sold £640
18 CT Gold Ladies Rolex Wristwatch
18 CT Gold Ladies Rolex Wristwatch
Sold £5000
Ladies Rolex Oyster Perpetual Wristwatch
Ladies Rolex Oyster Perpetual Wristwatch
Sold £4000
Maurice Lacroix Wrist Watch
Maurice Lacroix Wrist Watch
Sold £1000
Fine Glashutte 18CT Gold Wristwatch
Fine Glashutte 18CT Gold Wristwatch
Sold £3500
Rolex Explorer Wristwatch
Rolex Explorer Wristwatch
Sold £6200
Breitling Thunderball Wristwatch
Breitling Thunderball Wristwatch
Sold £2000
Cartier Gold Wristwatch
Cartier Gold Wristwatch
Sold £1200
Rolex Ladies Oyster Perpetual Wristwatch
Rolex Ladies Oyster Perpetual Wristwatch
Sold £2400
Rolex Calendar Wristwatch
Rolex Calendar Wristwatch
Sold £2800
Omega Seamaster Wristwatch
Omega Seamaster Wristwatch
Sold £3000
Rolex Oyster Perpetual wristwatch
Rolex Oyster Perpetual wristwatch
Sold £3400
Rolex Datejust Bracelet
Rolex Datejust Bracelet
Sold £4000
Rolex GMT Master
Rolex GMT Master
Sold £7000
18 CT Gold Baume Mercier Wristwatch
18 CT Gold Baume Mercier Wristwatch
Sold £1920
Breitling Wristwatch
Breitling Wristwatch
Sold £1500
18 CT Gold Omega Constellation Bracelet Watch
18 CT Gold Omega Constellation Bracelet Watch
Sold £1500
Gold Plated Ingenieur Wristwatch
Gold Plated Ingenieur Wristwatch
Sold £1600
Cartier Santos Ladies Wristwatch
Cartier Santos Ladies Wristwatch
Sold £1000
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust Wristwatch
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust Wristwatch
Sold £3000
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Day Date Wristwatch
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Day Date Wristwatch
Sold £6000

Watches can be valued free of charge without obligation

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