DALLAS, TX.- A rare Patek Philippe, Ref. 2526P, Calatrava with First Series Enamel Dial, Retailed by "Tiffany & Co.", Circa 1954 sold for $642,500, a new world record for a Ref. 2526 of any precious metal, in Heritage Auctions' Watches & Fine Timepieces Auction May 1 in New York.

The 556-lot auction, with 93.2 percent of all lots sold, finished with $3,715,166 in total sales.

This fresh-to-market Calatrava, with a pre-auction estimate of $300,000, retailed in 1954, and is one of just six platinum 2526 watches known to exist. That limited number, coupled with the fact that it is the only known example with both Patek Philippe and Tiffany & Co. signatures makes it possibly the rarest Patek Philippe Ref. 2526 ever offered at auction, according to Heritage Auctions Director of Timepieces Jim Wolf.

"This is an extraordinary watch," Wolf said. "But having the dual Patek Philippe and Tiffany & Co. signatures means it might be the only one like it in the world, which makes it extremely appealing to the most serious collectors."

A Rolex, Ref: 6239, "Paul Newman" Cosmograph Daytona, Circa 1969 more than doubled its pre-auction low estimate when numerous bidders pushed it to a final price of $225,000. In this aesthetic configuration, it is the most original and authentic "Paul Newman" Daytona, as it is the variant owned and worn by its namesake. Sold for the first time in this auction, this watch comes directly from the family of the original owner.

Arguably the most desirable of contemporary Patek Philippe watches, a Patek Philippe, Ref. 5970J-001, Unused Double Sealed, Gold Chronograph With Perpetual Calendar, Moon Phases, Tachometer And 24 Hour Indication, Circa 2008 drew $137,500. Its relatively short production run of just seven years makes it a rarity in all four configurations: yellow, white and rose gold and platinum – this yellow gold version is considered the rarest and most desirable of this legendary reference. It is the last Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar Chronograph powered by the legendary Lemania movement, which is visible through the exhibition case back.

One of the fiercest bidding wars in the auction centered around a Patek Philippe, Ref. 3417, Very Rare Steel Amagnetic for Tiffany & Co, circa 1968, as 18 bidders drove it to more than five times its low pre-auction estimate before it closed at $106,250. The popularity and appeal of this extremely rare — possibly even unique — watch centers around the Patek Philippe Genève and Tiffany & Co. signatures on the dial.

Other top lots included, but were not limited to:

· Patek Philippe, Ref. 5070G-001, Unused Double Sealed, White Gold Chronograph, Circa 2008: $71,875

· Patek Philippe, Ref. 3800/3P, Platinum Nautilus, 38 mm, Circa 1992: $68,750

· Rolex, Ref: 4467, "Ovettone" Pre-DateJust, Luminous Dial and Hands, Circa 1947: $50,000

· Rolex, 18k YG Ref. 1675, GMT-Master, From The Private Collection Of Hollywood Actor James "Jimmy" Darren, circa 1972: $40,000

· Rolex Ref. 228206 Platinum Day-Date 40 President: $37,500

· Patek Philippe, Ref: 5059J-001,18k Gold Retrograde Perpetual Calendar, Circa 2005: $37,500

· Rolex Ref. 218206 Platinum & Diamond Day-Date II President: $37,500