With the record set yesterday evening, courtesy of the Rolex ref. 6062, “Bao Dai”, which has now become the most expensive Rolex to have ever been sold at an auction, spirits were high at the La Reserve in Geneva, as Aurel Bacs took to the podium once more to work his magic.
This evening’s lots included two varieties of Patek 2499s and yet another 6062 — this time in steel — which took the top marks. With that said, let’s have a look at the top five performers.
Top Lots
Lot 237: Rolex ref. 6263 screw-pusher Paul Newman Daytona in yellow gold sold for CHF3,722,000
Ask anyone who knows a thing or two about Paul Newman Daytonas and they will tell you that yellow gold, screw-pusher variations do not exist (we asked Eric Ku). They don’t, except for this one example. Call it the “lemon dial” or the “legend”, the fact remains that there is only one proper, out of factory 6263 Paul Newman that exists in a yellow gold case.
The last this watch surfaced was in the hands of Antiquorum, where it sold for CHF841,300. Safe to say that, that record’s been thoroughly shattered today. This is now also the most expensive Paul Newman in existence, beating the previous record of CHF1.985 million held by the RCO “Oyster Sotto” screw-pusher ref. 6263.
Lot 172: Rolex Triple Calendar ref. 6062 in Stainless Steel, sold for CHF1,930,000
Providing a wonderful symmetry with last night’s performance, this evening’s second top lot was yet again a 6062, this time in steel. Launched by Patek Philippe at the 1950 Basel fair, it is known that the 6062 was produced in steel, pink and yellow gold. However, the number of pieces that have survived the half a century and are known in the market presently are barely 24 odd. And fewer still are in the condition that lot 172 was presented in.
