GENEVA.- Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo announced a selection of highlights from its Spring season that will offer what is arguably the most important selection of iconic Rolex watches presented at auction in recent years. The Geneva Watch Auction: FIVE, a double-evening sale, will take place the weekend of 13 and 14 May at Hôtel La Réserve. Phillips’ first watch sale of 2017 follows a record-breaking year during which the firm established market leadership and broke the US$100 million milestone for an annual sale total. With multiple, first-of-their kind theme sales including November 2016’s “ROLEX MILESTONES” sale in Hong Kong, Phillips achieved world auction records, including the highest results ever for a Rolex watch and for a Rolex Daytona.

The sale is led by the iconic Rolex Reference 6062, “Bao Dai”, widely considered by the collecting community and cognoscenti as being amongst the most valuable and desirable Rolexes ever made by the prestigious manufacturer (estimate: in excess of US $1.5 million).

This elusive Rolex triple calendar with moonphase in yellow gold is one of only three black dial models known to exist with diamond markers. Of the three, the Bao Dai, is the only example to feature diamond markers at the even hours, making this piece truly unique. This is further enhanced by imperial provenance, having belonged to His Majesty Bao Dai, the last emperor of Vietnam.

Born Nguyễn Phúc Vĩnh Thụy, His Majesty Bao Dai was the 13th and last emperor of the Nguyễn Dynasty, and it was not until he ascended the throne in 1925 at age 12 that he was granted the title of Bao Dai – Keeper of Greatness. According to family tradition, Bao Dai himself purchased the watch in Geneva in 1954, when he attended the historic Geneva Conference seeking peace in Indochina following the Korean War.

This timepiece is not only extremely desirable due to its imperial provenance, but it is also the most complicated and iconic Oyster-cased model created by the venerable Geneva-based brand, featuring day, date, month and moonphase indications. The “Bao Dai” first appeared on the market in 2002, when Phillips sold it for a then record-breaking price, making it the most expensive Rolex ever sold at auction.

Aurel Bacs, Senior Consultant, states, “It is an absolute privilege to offer the Rolex 6062 “Bao Dai” for the second time in my career. With its incredible Imperial provenance, stunning condition, and exceptional rarity, it’s a mythical watch that occupies the dreams of scholars, collectors, and enthusiasts all over the world. It comes to us as new from a private collector, and I am thrilled that Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo has been chosen to auction such an important piece of History.”