GENEVA.- A new chapter in Rolex Daytona’s legendary history was turned yesterday afternoon by Sotheby’s Geneva when a collector bid on Sotheby’s Important Watches Sale’s top lot, Lot 119 – a JPS model, reference 6241 which initial estimate was CHF 600,000 – 1,200,000, and fought off 6 other bidders before they could claim it as theirs for nearly twice its top estimate, at CHF 2,238,000 / $2,491,655, setting a new world record in the process. The bidding battle, started at CHF 400,000 saw two online bidders, two telephone bidders and two people in the room together with the winning collector lock horns for just over eight minutes. In the end, only one online bidder remained in the way of the winning collector who clinched victory with a final CHF 100,000 bid.

The final price achieved for the watch makes it the world record for any Daytona JPS model, the third most valuable Daytona ‘Paul Newman’ in gold in any references, the fourth most valuable ‘Paul Newman’ in any reference and any metal, and the fifth most valuable manual winding Daytona ever sold at auction.

The rarity of this particular watch cannot be overstated. It is believed that 3000 reference 6241 were produced and only 300 in 18 carat yellow gold cases. Among these, only a small fraction was fitted with the coveted John Player Special dial. These watches were mostly fitted with black dials with gilt subsidiaries or gilt dials with black subsidiaries.

This truly stunning and superb timepiece has not undergone any service from Rolex as the case back presents no inscription. It is believed to have remained untouched for the last five decades has was offered for the first time to the market by the family of the original owner.

The Important Watches Sale – which also has an exciting online exponent on sothebys.com, concluding tomorrow, selling carefully curated watches of outstanding quality, is part of Sotheby’s Luxury Week. The multi-category luxury sale series also features Sotheby’s Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels sale which live auction takes place tomorrow from 2pm (CEST), its online version the Important Jewels sale (closing on 18 May), a Handbags and Accessories sale (closing 17 May) and even the online single lot sale closing on 18 May of a bespoke gold bike by luxury biker maker Colnago, the Colnago Gioiello: The Jewel of Cycling – a unique gold-leafed sports bicycle sporting a single diamond on its handlebar (estimate CHF 60,000 – 80,000).

Overview of the John Player Special

Over the last six decades, the Rolex Daytona has never stopped to amaze collectors and aficionados around the world. The difference and variations in the dials are one of these reasons. Among these praised dial variations exists the exotic dials nicknamed 'Paul Newman' after the famous actor. Those are today among the most sought-after dials on the vintage market. Nevertheless, there is one variation that exists in such small numbers that it is somewhat legendary and a centrepiece in any collection it might be a part of. The John Player Special.

Named after the British tobacco sponsored Team Lotus Formula One car of the 1970s, this watch is a true statement of the Daytona spirit. A watch for a spirited individuals pushing the boundaries of motorsports. Nowadays, this Formula One car is still regarded as one of the most elegant racing cars. It stood out because of its black carrosserie and gilt inscriptions. This dial variant was nicknamed because of its black dial and gilt subsidiary dials and outer rim reminiscent to this car of legend.