A rare Rolex was the star lot at Antiquorum’s March Auction in Geneva at the weekend.
The auction of ‘Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces’ attracted sales of CHF 3,375,637 (£2,322,009) and saw 477 internet bidders from China, Hong Kong, Italy, Germany, the United States and Switzerland, as well as bidders in the room, compete over 383 lots of collectible timepieces.
The star lot was a Rolex Ref. 6200 with Explorer Dial (lot 187) an extremely rare piece described by Antiquorum as ‘one of the holy grails for Rolex collectors’ inspired a bidding war between two telephone bidders and a room bidder. The watch went for CHF 183,750 (£126,381), twice the original estimate.
Rolex watches continued to attract excellent results throughout the auction with a Rolex Ref. 1831/1850 Platinum Day Date No 001/8 (lot 189). The watch was previously unknown to the market and is thought to have been ordered exclusively by the Shah of Iran to gift to dignitaries. The watch attracted a winning bid of CHF 165,750 (£113,993). While the ever popular and highly collectible Rolex Ref. 6239 Paul Newman (Lot 360) sold for CHF 93,750 (£64,474).
Julien Schaerer, managing director and auctioneer of Antiquorum Geneva, said: “We are extremely pleased with the outcome for the Rolex Ref. 6200 with Explorer Dial in our March sale. As confirmed by today’s results, exceptional examples from Rolex continue to beat previous records and achieve extraordinary prices at auction.”
