DALLAS, TX.- An extremely rare 14K Gold "Paul Newman” Rolex raced past pre-auction estimates to sell for $804,500. The demand for this rare timepiece made it the top lot in Heritage Auctions’ Watches & Fine Timepieces Auction Oct. 24 in New York, which realized $5,292,610. The event boasted sell-through rates of 96.34 percent by value, and 96.11 percent by lots.

One of the most rare and desirable Daytona models among vintage Rolex collectors, the Rolex, Very Fine and Rare 14k Gold Ref. 6241 "John Player Special” Cosmograph Daytona with "Paul Newman” dial, Circa 1969 is named after the Rolex Daytona’s most famous owner, iconic actor and racing driver Paul Newman, who lent his name to this model and is the namesake of the signature dial. Multiple bidders pursued it, launching it well above and beyond its pre-auction estimate of $400,000-600,000.

"The JPS 'Paul Newman’ Daytona is extremely rare, and we were fortunate to be the first ever to offer it at auction,” Heritage Auctions Watches & Fine Timepieces Director Jim Wolf said. "Vintage Rolexes have retained enormous popularity among collectors, and this one is at the top of the list, so the exceedingly high interest and the resulting competitive bidding for it were to be expected.”

A very rare Tudor, Ref: 7924, Big Crown Submariner, "Red Triangle” Bezel, "Gilt” Dial, Manufactured: 1958 became the world’s most expensive vintage Tudor when it sold for $162,500. Produced for just a single year, in 1958, it was not created as part of a luxury brand. Instead, it was made to endure heavy use. Because of that, almost all have undergone some measure of restoration and/or contain replacement parts. This example has all original parts, which is absolutely unheard of for this watch after six decades.

A Vacheron Constantin, Highly Important and Extremely Rare Ref: 30051/000P-8864, Platinum Openwork Tourbillon, Ltd Ed. No. 2/2, Circa 1999, one of just two ever produced in platinum with a hand-engraved Rose Gold Movement, inspired multiple bids before closing at $81,250. Believed to be only the second ever sold at auction, it is signed on case, dial and movement.

The auction included 14 watches by F.P. Journe, including:

· F.P. Journe, Very Rare and Fine 30 Years Anniversary T-30 Tourbillon, 18k and Silver Case, Ltd Ed 94/99, Circa 2013 $87,500

· F.P. Journe, Very Rare and Fine Vagabondage III, 18k Red Gold, Patented Constant Force Digital Jump Hour and Seconds, Ltd Ed No. 58/68 VIII, Circa 2017 $78,125

· F.P. Journe, Very Rare and Fine Vagabondage I, Platinum Wandering Hour, Ltd Ed. No. 22/69 V, Circa 2005 $78,125

Other top lots included, but were not limited to:

· Rolex, Rare Ref. 6263, Stainless Steel Oyster Cosmograph, Sigma Panda Dial, Circa 1973: $68,750

· Rolex, Ref. 6263 Oyster Cosmograph, (FAP) Peruvian Air Force, Stainless Steel, Circa 1974: $57,500

· Rolex, Rare Ref. 6263, Stainless Steel Oyster Cosmograph, "Big Red,” Circa 1978: $55,000

· Rolex Rare Ref. 1665 Double Red Sea-Dweller: $52,500

· Rolex, Very Rare Ref: 16610, Submariner "Panama Canal,” Stainless Steel, Ltd Ed. 19/75, Complete Set, Circa 1999: $52,500