We all know that a good auction gets the heart racing and the wallet trembling with fear as we imagine what it would be like to own a unique timepiece. Antiquorum recently auctioned off two special watches which we are bringing to you today. Like most auction pieces, particular versions of the classic watches feature here, and their scarcity is responsible for their ridiculously high winning bid prices. Let’s take a look.
Lot 688 – Rolex Daytona, Porcelain Floating, Retailed by Tiffany NYC
The stainless steel Rolex Daytona, along with nearly every other sporty Rolex in stainless steel, can command a particularly high price on the secondary market. The rarity and length of the waiting list for the current ceramic bezel watch means we turn to the secondary market, unfortunately, stainless steel Zenith powered Daytonas offer no respite, they too feature prices that exceed retail.
But what if you come across a Rolex Daytona in steel, a rare watch, that’s been sold originally by Tiffany & Co, with a Tiffany dial and original box, papers and purchase receipt? Well, you can expect to pay a hell of a lot for the privilege of owning such a rare collector’s item. This one far exceeded its predicted price and sold for 293,000 Swiss Francs.
Lot 726 – Patek Philippe Aquanaut 5060 Prototype
Rolex watches can often be the most expensive to purchase at auction and often exceed expectations. But, there is a brand which goes above and beyond Rolex for this: Patek Philippe. When the buyers saw that a, exceedingly rare piece, a prototype for the popular Aquanaut, became available, there were undoubtedly a few frantic phone calls made.
This watch was made sometime around 1996 and features a blocky rubber strap as we see on the production Aquanaut, but with a clean dial with no patterns on and a small power reserve indicator. Interestingly, the power reserve indicator appears to move all the way around, as the dial has been cut out for the hand to do so, but the scale only covers one half of the subdial, meaning the other half is virtually useless. The prediction for this watch was set between a measly 50,000 and 80,000 Swiss Francs. The watch did far better, far far far better, it sold for 401,000 Swiss Francs. Who’s responsible for these predictions?
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