A magnificent selection of Rolex watches achieved superb results at Bonhams' Fine Watches auction on June 13.
 The top lot in a sale dominated by Rolex |
The London auction was highlighted by a Paul Newman Oyster Cosmograph Rolex, ref 6263, which soared past its £50,000 high estimate to achieve an 80.1% increase. The £90,050 watch was renamed Paul Newman after the American actor was pictured wearing it in promotional posters for the film Winning.
Another of the Rolex Paul Newman watches, this time featuring an alternative bracelet and bezel, attracted the second highest bids in the sale, selling for £79,250. Sharing this price was a lavish Piaget Polo Automatique, which was almost completely encrusted with white gold and diamonds.
Further Rolex successes in the auction were seen by an 18 carat white gold and diamond set Daytona, ref 116599. The 44-jewel wristwatch, circa 2005, made an impressive 150% increase on its £12,000 estimate, selling for £30,000.
The Bonhams sale comes as a welcome chance to shine for Rolex, with the majority of recent watch auctions dominated by Patek Philippe's immense run of success.
One of the auction's most fascinating sales came from a Dali-esque Cartier Crash wristwatch, which sold for £20,000, against an estimate of £2,000-3,000. A 566.6% increase was achieved by the 1960s watch, whose surrealist design was inspired by a car crash involving the company's vice president, in which his Cartier Bagoire Alongee watch was melted.
Now is an exciting time for watch enthusiasts and investors, with a number of important sales appearing at all of the major auction houses. Visit our dedicated Watches & Jewellery section regularly so as not to miss out on the latest news.
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