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
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