Forgotten Vintage Rolex Sells for $272,000
A rare vintage Rolex watch found at the bottom of a dusty old box has sold at auction for over 200,000 British pounds ($272,100).
The 1954 Rolex Submariner 6200, believed to be one of only 300 ever produced, was discovered by the seller in a box of forgotten possessions passed down to her as inheritance upon the death of her uncle, according to a press release. Thought to be worthless until the Rolex name was spotted on the dial, the anonymous new owner took the item to a local jeweler who advised her on the rarity of the wristwatch.
Listed through Watch Collecting, a specialist selling platform devoted to prestige and luxury watches, the Rolex “went on to break records with a winning final bid of £205,500, making it the most expensive timepiece ever sold on the website,” according to the release.
The Submariner 6200 features the A296 automatic movement with both gilt dial and gilt Mercedes hands finished in original radium luminous material. The thick case and prominent 8 millimeter “Big Crown” allow a deeper depth rating of 200 meters – subtle hallmarks of a professional tool diving watch.
Adrian Hailwood, head of Watch Collecting, said: “We are delighted to be part of the history of this magnificent 1954 Rolex Submariner. The condition is everything a collector could hope for with original components, unrestored condition, and featuring all the authentic signs of wear of a 67-year-old legendary Rolex.”
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The World’s Most Expensive Rolex Is Now on Display in Los Angeles. Here’s Where to See It.
After a four-year hiatus, the world’s most expensive Rolex is back in the public eye.
The watch in question is the one and only Oyster Cosmograph Daytona Ref. 6239 “Paul Newman.” The coveted wrist candy made headlines back in 2017 when it sold for $17.75 million at Phillips to become the single most expensive Rolex ever sold. Since then, the watch has remained out of view—until now, that is.
The legendary timepiece is currently occupying pride of place at the new Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles, which opened its doors to the public on September 30. Rolex is a sponsor of the pioneering facility and arranged for the rarity to be on display for cinephiles and watch buffs alike.
As its moniker implies, the watch once belonged to Paul Newman. The venerated actor’s wife Joanne gave him the watch as a gift. It’s characterized by its unique dial that features a contrasting outer seconds track, a funky modern typeface in the sub-dials and squarish 1-12 indices.
While this model wasn’t exactly a multimillion-dollar hit when it debuted in the ‘60s, it’s now nearly as iconic as Newman himself. In fact, any Daytona with an “exotic” dial is now known as a “Paul Newman” variant and is more or less guaranteed to fetch a handsome fee.
The historic timepiece is located in the Rolex Gallery, a permanent, multi-room experience on the museum’s third floor. Dedicated to the “Stories of Cinema,” Rolex says it will feature special installations that reveal the many aspects of moviemaking, including technology, artists, history and social impact.
Rolex’s presence is really just the cherry on top of this epic new museum. Designed by acclaimed architect Renzo Piano, this hub for film lovers is set across 50,000 square feet and comprises a handful of galleries, two theatres, an education studio and some beautiful public spaces.
Looks like we have more than one reason to head to LA’s newest museum.
Check out more photos of the museum below: