The 7 Most Expensive Rolex Ever Sold

Everyone agrees that Rolex is the pinnacle of luxury watchmaking, and it is well known for its excellent craftsmanship and classic style. Modern stainless-steel sports models such as the Submariner and Daytona are widely sought-after, but rare vintage models really catch collectors' attention at auction, fetching enormous prices that are commensurate with their inherent historical and intrinsic value.

Unearthing Treasures: The Vintage Rolex Market

When discussing the realm of vintage Rolex, we're not limited to any particular kind of expensive timepiece. Because of their exceptional rarity, flawless condition, and intriguing histories about their past owners, these items are the pinnacle of collectibles, frequently selling for millions of dollars.

Record-Breaking Rolex Auctions

Let’s delve into some of the most notable Rolex watches that have shattered auction records:

• Paul Newman’s Rolex Daytona ($17.8 million): Most people agree that Paul Newman's Rolex Daytona is the most well-known and culturally significant watch in the entire field of horology. Its distinctive style and close ties to the renowned actor and race car driver Paul Newman are the main causes of its legendary reputation.
  
  This Rolex Daytona was a gift to Paul Newman from his late 1960s wife, Joanne Woodward. The unusual dial on the watch, a Rolex Daytona Reference 6239, is now renowned for being called the "Paul Newman" dial. This particular dial gives the watch a unique appearance that distinguishes it from other Daytona versions. It features sub-dials with crosshairs, square Art Deco-style markings, and contrasting colors.
  
  At a Phillips auction in New York in October 2017, Paul Newman's Daytona created history by selling for an incredible $17.8 million, which at the time was a record price for a wristwatch. This sale demonstrated the cultural and sentimental significance that particular watches can have in addition to cementing the Daytona's position as a sought-after timepiece. The words "Drive Carefully Me," a private note from Joanne Woodward to her husband, were engraved on the back of the watch, adding to its significance for buyers.
  
  This historic auction raised awareness of the possibility that watches are more than just timepieces; they might have meanings beyond mere mechanism, such as tales, legacies, and personal significance. Since then, Paul Newman's Rolex Daytona has come to represent grace as well as the deep emotional connection he has with his racing passion.
  
  Its unprecedented sales demonstrated how well-known individuals like Paul Newman can elevate the cultural significance of a watch and transform it into a work of art that masterfully combines design and narrative.
  
  

  

  Photo credit: Phillips Auction

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• Rolex Daytona Reference 6265 “Unicorn” ($5.9 million): In the realm of high-end watches, the Rolex Daytona Reference 6265 "Unicorn" is a legendary timepiece with a design as distinctive as it is. The "Unicorn," as this Daytona is called, is unique in that it is the only known example made of 18k white gold, a material that Rolex hardly ever employed for their sport watches in the 1970s. That era's Daytonas were usually constructed of stainless steel or yellow gold, so this white gold version is a unique design.
  
  Originally produced in 1970, the "Unicorn" has the same tough aesthetic that has made the Daytona series renowned among collectors and fans of motorsports. But the 18k white gold casing takes it to a whole new level of luxury with its elegance and rarity. Its auction history contributed to its iconic reputation in addition to its rare material.
  
  The Rolex Daytona Reference 6265 "Unicorn" became one of the most expensive timepieces ever sold when it was auctioned off in 2018 for an incredible $5.9 million. The fact that all of the auction's revenues went to charity adds even more significance to this, solidifying the event's reputation as a symbol of generosity and elegance.
  
  The "Unicorn" is a priceless piece of watchmaking history because of its exceptional craftsmanship, scarcity, and charitable nature surrounding its sale. It is more than simply a watch; it is a representation of generosity, beauty, and exclusivity.
  
  
  

  

  Photo credit: Phillips Auction

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• Rolex ‘Bao Dai’ ref 6062 ($5.1 million): One of the most famous and historically significant timepieces ever produced is the Rolex "Bao Dai" Reference 6062, which is prized for its exceptional design, royal provenance, and scarcity. The last Emperor of Vietnam, Bao Dai, originally had this specific Rolex, giving it a great deal of historical significance.
  
  The watch, a 1952 Rolex Oyster Perpetual Moonphase, is distinguished by its unique black dial with diamond hour markers, which include a striking triangular diamond at the 12 o'clock sign. This piece is extremely rare since it contains a moonphase complex, diamonds, and a black dial—Rolex only made a small number of watches with these particular qualities in the 1950s. One of the uncommon Rolex watches with a moonphase complication—a characteristic that Rolex has not often used in their designs—is the Ref. 6062.
  
  The Bao Dai watch's charm is enhanced by its backstory. In 1954, while attending the Geneva Conference, where world powers convened to deliberate on Indochina's destiny, Bao Dai bought this watch. He picked this amazing model after expressly asking for the priciest and most special Rolex on offer during a visit to a Rolex boutique. Since then, the watch has come to represent elegance, wealth, and the splendor of royalty.
  
  When the Bao Dai Rolex sold at auction for more than $5.1 million in 2017, it made news as one of the most expensive Rolex watches ever sold. Its sale demonstrated the value of provenance in the world of watch collecting, since the watch's association with a historical figure elevated its worth much beyond its technical characteristics.
  
  This watch is among the most valuable Rolex timepieces because of its royal ownership, the design's rarity, and the fact that there are so few Reference 6062s with a black dial and diamond markings in the world. The Bao Dai is a timeless representation of excellence in horology and history.
  
  
  

  

  Photo credit: Phillips Auction

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• 1969 Paul Newman Daytona Ref. 6263 “The Legend” ($3.7 million): The 1969 Paul Newman Daytona Reference 6263, widely known as "The Legend," is a highly prized jewel in the world of luxury timepieces, particularly among serious collectors. Its exceptional rarity and unique design combine to create a reputation that makes it one of the most costly Daytona models ever sold.
  
  Part of the Rolex Daytona series, "The Legend" was created in 1969 and is well-known for its connection to motorsports and legendary reputation within the watch industry. However, what distinguishes this specific watch is its case material—18k yellow gold, which is exceedingly unusual for the Daytona line during that era. The yellow gold Paul Newman Daytona is an extremely rare find because the majority of these watches from the late 1960s and early 1970s were made of stainless steel.
  
  "The Legend" has a gold casing and the recognizable "Paul Newman" dial, which became well-known due to its striking contrast, Art Deco-style text, and distinctive sub-dial design. Being one of the rarest and most sought-after Daytona versions, "The Legend" has a Paul Newman dial set in a yellow gold case. Only a handful of these models are known to exist, contributing to its legendary position in the watch community.
  
  "The Legend" solidified its status as one of the most costly Daytona models ever sold when it fetched an astounding $3.7 million at auction in 2017. In addition to being extremely rare, its unique design also adds to its high worth, drawing in collectors who are searching for the ideal balance between luxury and sportiness.
  
  
  

  

  Photo credit: Phillips Auction

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• Antimagnetique Reference 4113 ($2.5 million): One of the rarest and most historically significant Rolex watches ever produced is the Rolex Antimagnetique Reference 4113. Its rarity, distinctive style, and strong connections to the motorsport industry have elevated its collectible status and raised its auction price to about $2.5 million.
  
  Another feature that sets the Antimagnetique Reference 4113 apart is its split-seconds chronograph function, a unique feature that lets the user clock several events at once. This was especially useful in the field of motor racing, where timing accuracy is crucial. This reference was created with beauty in mind, in contrast to many of Rolex's more robust tool watches. Its elegant design and thin, delicate lugs make it visually appealing despite its massive size.
  
  The model's stainless steel case, which contrasts with the more opulent materials like gold that are typically associated with high-end vintage watches, adds to its mystique. The steel's straightforward appearance and practical design, along with the split-seconds chronograph's rarity, give it a distinct presence in the watchmaking industry.
  
  The Rolex Antimagnetique 4113 is among the most sought-after vintage timepieces in the world due to its exclusivity and the fact that it was only given to a small number of racing pros. The model's $2.5 million auction value highlights how important it is—not just as a Rolex, but also as a piece of watchmaking history connected to the heyday of motorsport.
  
  
  

  

  Photo credit: Phillips Auction

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• Marlon Brando’s Rolex GMT-Master ($1.952 million): One of the most recognizable celebrity timepieces is Marlon Brando's GMT-Master, which is well-known for its association with the actor's part in the legendary 1979 movie "Apocalypse Now" and the distinctive modifications he made to it. The cultural significance of this particular Rolex GMT-Master Reference 1675 and Brando's personal touch on the watch contributed significantly to its $1.952 million auction price in 2019.
  
  When Brando played Colonel Kurtz in Apocalypse Now, he donned this GMT-Master, but what really sets it out is the personalization he added to it. Brando made a risky decision by taking out the watch's bezel in order to give it a more straightforward, tougher appearance that would go better with the war-torn aspect of his character. The end result was a special edition of the well-known GMT-Master, which usually has a distinguishing two-tone bezel to aid in tracking various time zones.
  
  In addition, Brando etched "M. Brando" on the back of the watch case, adding to its collector appeal. The watch's missing bezel and personal personalization only served to increase its appeal. The watch nevertheless maintained its identity as a Rolex GMT-Master, a model renowned for its usefulness and connection to aviation, in spite of these changes.
  
  This watch was kept mostly hidden for many years until it was put up for auction, where collectors from all over the world were drawn to its unique blend of cinema memorabilia and horological history. Due to its useful dual-time zone capabilities, the GMT-Master has long been a popular model; nevertheless, Brando's modifications and the watch's participation in one of the best movies ever made elevated its appeal to a whole new level.
  
  The model's rareness, significance, and close ties to both the film industry and Brando's history were all reflected in its $1.952 million sale price. This watch is a testament to Hollywood history and individual expression at the same time, making it one of the most well-known celebrity timepieces ever offered.
  
  
  

  

  Photo credit: Phillips Auction

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• Eric Clapton’s Rolex Daytona “Albino” ($1.4 million): One of the most sought-after and expensive Rolex watches is Eric Clapton's "Albino" Daytona, which is well-known for its unique design and association with the eminent musician. This watch, a Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Reference 6263, was given the moniker "Albino" because of its eye-catching white and silver dial—a extremely rare combination for 1970s Daytona models.
  
  This watch's monochromatic dial is what really sets it apart. The "Albino" includes sub-displays that merge in perfectly with the silver-white background, giving the watch a sleek and minimalist appearance. This is in contrast to standard Daytona dials, which have contrasting colors between the main dial and the sub-dials. This unique configuration adds to its appeal, as only a tiny number of Daytonas were ever built with this all-silver design.
  
  The celebrity provenance of the watch adds significant value in addition to its unique appearance. One of the greatest rock guitarists of all time, Eric Clapton, was well-known for his passion for collecting timepieces, especially vintage Rolex models. The "Albino" Daytona was more appealing to collectors because Clapton owned it for a long time. The watch has a unique quality that adds to its attraction because of the famous individual who owned and wore it.
  
  One of the most costly Rolex Daytonas ever sold, Clapton's Daytona "Albino" fetched $1.4 million at auction in 2015. In addition to the watch's extreme rarity, the enormous demand for watches with celebrity ties is reflected in its premium price. Because of Clapton's ownership, the watch gains more cultural value and becomes more than just a collector's item—rather, it becomes a piece of rock and roll history.
  
  
  

  

  Photo credit: Phillips Auction

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What makes Rolex watches command such awe and respect in the auction world? Each sale brings with it stories of past owners, of moments in history captured on a wrist. These watches are more than just mechanisms for keeping time; they are artifacts of cultural and technological milestones.

At Wearing Time, we are privileged to offer a collection that encapsulates not just the luxury of Rolex but also the stories and heritage that come with each piece. Whether you are starting your journey into the world of high-end watches or looking to add a rare piece to your collection, we are here to provide you with a timepiece that is as full of history as it is of beauty.

Explore our selection at Wearing Time and discover why Rolex remains the undisputed king of luxury watches, a true symbol of status, innovation, and timeless elegance.