WPS member · Rolex forum

70 replies17294 views1 photos

Bill's report on the 2013 'Lesson One' auction at Christie's Geneva captures a pivotal moment in vintage Rolex Daytona collecting. This event, curated by Aurel Bacs, saw 50 exceptional Daytonas achieve record-breaking prices, including a Paul Newman ref. 6263/6239 selling for over $1 million. Bill's post highlights the auction's unprecedented success and its lasting impact on the vintage watch market, making it a crucial reference for understanding the ascent of the Daytona as an asset class.

Christies Auction Results -

Surpassing all expectations, ROLEX DAYTONA "LESSON ONE" –a prestigious single-themed evening auction featuring 50 exceptional examples of the world's most celebrated chronograph wristwatch, totalled SFr.12,032,850 /$13,248,167 / €9,866,937, selling 100% by lot and by value, at Christie's Geneva.

Created by Aurel Bacs to mark the 50^th anniversary of Rolex most iconic model, this unique sale presented only the best and most mythical Daytona wristwatches ever produced.

The top lot of the evening was an extremely important stainless steel chronograph wristwatch, ref. 6263/6239, Paul Newman model, manufactured in 1969, which sold for $1,088,889 / SFr.989,000.

Aurel Bacs, International Head of Christie's Watch Department , commented: “Christie's first ever evening auction dedicated to wristwatches proved an unprecedented success. With four hundred people in the saleroom and plenty more queuing outside, I rarely experienced a similar rock concert atmosphere from the rostrum. Possibly the most rigorously curated watch auction ever staged, each lot was selected by Christie's watch department in partnership with Mr. Pucci Papaleo according to a disciplined approach to originality, condition and provenance. Setting 50 world records for 50 watches as well as achieving an absolute record price for any Rolex Daytona ever sold at auction, Rolex Daytona "Lesson One" will be remembered as an historical event”.

Source: Christies - Rolex Daytona Lesson One - November 2013

Key Points from the Discussion

The 'Lesson One' auction established 50 world records for 50 watches, including an absolute record price for any Rolex Daytona, marking it as a historical event in watch auctions.
The market for vintage Rolex sports models from the 1950s-70s has evolved into a distinct asset class, driven by expert marketing and a focus on originality, condition, and provenance.
Unlike many high-end collectibles, vintage Daytonas, particularly the highly valued Paul Newman models, often feature non-in-house movements, a detail frequently overlooked by collectors in this segment.
The Paul Newman dial was originally an unusual choice, estimated to be on only 5-10% of total Daytonas, but its subsequent value led to a proliferation of fakes, making truly authentic examples rare.
There are two types of Paul Newman dials for steel ref. 6239, distinguished by the 'square DAYTONA' font, with production overlaps making exact transitions difficult to pinpoint.
The authenticity of vintage Daytona dials is complex, with Rolex never confirming a list of case numbers born with a PN dial, and the presence of a correct 'SINGER' punch on the back being a key indicator.

The Discussion

Bill

Nov 10, 2013

Rolex. An extremely rare and important stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with pulsation dial and bracelet Signed Rolex, Cosmograph, Daytona, ref. 6239, case no. 1'695'328, manufactured in 1967 Source: Christies - Rolex Daytona Lesson One - November 2013

Bill

Nov 10, 2013

Rolex. A very rare and attractive 18K gold chronograph wristwatch with black dial and box Signed Rolex, Cosmograph, Daytona, Paul Newman model, ref. 6239, case no. 1'757'920, manufactured in 1969 Source: Christies - Rolex Daytona Lesson One - November 2013

Sandgroper

Nov 10, 2013

Love the 6263/6239, very sexy and charming. Thank you Bill. Cheers Francois from Down Under

Bill

Nov 10, 2013

Money seem to be no object these days. What people want people get. Bill

Ed. W

Nov 10, 2013

I really think that the auction results are going just northbound these days, we used to think 500,000 was high for a reasonably rare patek but the near 4 million for the titanium 5004 has clearly proven otherwise...

Bill

Nov 10, 2013

The prime pieces always seem to find buyers and with every auction we continue to make higher highs until.... The bottom drops out but then the sellers hold back and the market comes back and the cycle repeats. Bill

Continue the conversation

This thread is active on the Rolex forum with 70 replies. Share your knowledge with fellow collectors.

Join the Discussion →

Rolex Daytona 'Lesson One' Auction Results 2013

Christies Auction Results -

Key Points from the Discussion

Continue the conversation

More from this Forum