Rarest Rolex Watches
2015.01.14
The Rolex brand is steeped in myth and legend, with models appearing on the silver and small screen, on the wrists of celebrated actors, politicians, athletes and royalty, and manufactured in a winter wonderland. So which of these many gorgeous, durable timepieces are the most rare?
Let’s find out:
Sold at Christie’s auction in May 2011 for an astounding $1.16 million, the 1942 Rolex Chronograph 4113 is indeed a rarity. Its estimated value at the time of the auction was $680,000, however the final selling price makes it the most expensive Rolex watch ever purchased at auction. An enormous watch at 44mm, the timepiece includes a nickel finish, silver matte dial and lever movement. Additional features include 17 gems, unusually-thin bezel, pink gold Arabic and baton numerals, black tachymeter scales, blue telemeter, outer minute divisions, 30-minute register, two subsidiary dials for constant seconds, and a split second chronograph mechanism.
Only 12 of these watches were ever made, and only eight are known to exist today. Created as special gifts to British and Italian racecar drivers, the watches were not sold in the open market and were used as timing devices. A mere five of these watches were sold at auction.
The legendary actor and racecar enthusiast was given a Rolex Daytona by wife Joanne Woodward after taking up racing in his spare time. Plenty of hearsay surrounds Newman’s connection to Rolex, though the screen star did appear in numerous Rolex print ads overseas. The Hermes Paul Newman 6241 features a pump pusher and an eye-catching black bezel and dial. To possess a gold 6241 watch is a special thing, however the Paul Newman Hermes model is the only watch to be retailed by the iconic design house. While the watch is not stamped on the dial, it does feature the word “Hermes” engraved on the caseback. Hermes Paris confirmed the selling of this Rolex beauty on November 30th, 1971. It is quite literally the only watch of its kind in the world.
Recently sold at Fellow’s Auction House’s Wrist & Pocket Watches Auction in the United Kingdom, the 1981 Rolex COMEX 1665, a pre-owned Rolex Sea-Dweller, is another rare model. ‘COMEX’ stands for “Compagnie Maritime d’Expertises”, a French company that launched in November of 1961. A company that specialized in deep sea diving and engineering, the COMEX represents Rolex’s lengthy history with ocean diving. As with the 1942 Chronograph, these watch models were never meant for public consumption and were used by COMEX divers only. Rolex worked with the company to create the special models, which were considered more tools than accessories, and featured one-way pressure valves on the side of the cases at the 9 o’clock position. Only 300 watches were delivered to COMEX between 1977 and 1981.
Additional rare Rolex models include the Zerographe 3346, a watch featuring a production date of 1937. It is believed only 12 of these watches were ever produced, with specifications including in-house chronograph movement, rotating bezel and black California lacquer dial.
Let’s find out:
The 1942 Rolex Chronograph
Sold at Christie’s auction in May 2011 for an astounding $1.16 million, the 1942 Rolex Chronograph 4113 is indeed a rarity. Its estimated value at the time of the auction was $680,000, however the final selling price makes it the most expensive Rolex watch ever purchased at auction. An enormous watch at 44mm, the timepiece includes a nickel finish, silver matte dial and lever movement. Additional features include 17 gems, unusually-thin bezel, pink gold Arabic and baton numerals, black tachymeter scales, blue telemeter, outer minute divisions, 30-minute register, two subsidiary dials for constant seconds, and a split second chronograph mechanism.
Only 12 of these watches were ever made, and only eight are known to exist today. Created as special gifts to British and Italian racecar drivers, the watches were not sold in the open market and were used as timing devices. A mere five of these watches were sold at auction.
The Hermes Paul Newman
The legendary actor and racecar enthusiast was given a Rolex Daytona by wife Joanne Woodward after taking up racing in his spare time. Plenty of hearsay surrounds Newman’s connection to Rolex, though the screen star did appear in numerous Rolex print ads overseas. The Hermes Paul Newman 6241 features a pump pusher and an eye-catching black bezel and dial. To possess a gold 6241 watch is a special thing, however the Paul Newman Hermes model is the only watch to be retailed by the iconic design house. While the watch is not stamped on the dial, it does feature the word “Hermes” engraved on the caseback. Hermes Paris confirmed the selling of this Rolex beauty on November 30th, 1971. It is quite literally the only watch of its kind in the world.
The 1981 Rolex COMEX 1665 Sea-Dweller
Recently sold at Fellow’s Auction House’s Wrist & Pocket Watches Auction in the United Kingdom, the 1981 Rolex COMEX 1665, a pre-owned Rolex Sea-Dweller, is another rare model. ‘COMEX’ stands for “Compagnie Maritime d’Expertises”, a French company that launched in November of 1961. A company that specialized in deep sea diving and engineering, the COMEX represents Rolex’s lengthy history with ocean diving. As with the 1942 Chronograph, these watch models were never meant for public consumption and were used by COMEX divers only. Rolex worked with the company to create the special models, which were considered more tools than accessories, and featured one-way pressure valves on the side of the cases at the 9 o’clock position. Only 300 watches were delivered to COMEX between 1977 and 1981.
The Zerographe 3346
Additional rare Rolex models include the Zerographe 3346, a watch featuring a production date of 1937. It is believed only 12 of these watches were ever produced, with specifications including in-house chronograph movement, rotating bezel and black California lacquer dial.
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