The First Million-Dollar Rolex Sold by Christie’s

At Christie’s recent Important Watches sale in Geneva a new world record was set by a Rolex Split-Second Chronograph Ref. 4113. The winning bidder paid $1,163,340 for the luxury watch, buyer’s premium included. This makes the timepiece the most expensive Rolex ever.

Manufactured in 1942, this is a very rare stainless steel watch, case no. 051318. Inside the 44mm case, there is a Cal. Valjoux 55 VBR 17 2/3”movement with 17 jewels and nickel finish. The dial is matte silverwith applied pink gold numerals (baton and Arabic), two subdials, black tachymeter scale, and blue telemetre scale.

Another successful sale was that of a 1981 Patek Philippe watch, Ref. 3448. This too set a new record when it fetched a whopping $1,702,044. It was also the most expensive lot of the auction, which totaled $22,608,583.