The Top 8 Most Expensive Rolex Watches Of All Time - A Closer Look:

Known for its brilliant collection of exquisite timepieces, Rolex has always been the go-to brand for watch lovers all over the world. Over the last decade or so, the auction prices for Rolex’s masterpieces have spiraled so much out of the normal realm, that you’d think it is fiction! But just how expensive can a Rolex watch get? Check out our list of the top five most expensive Rolex watches of all time and see for yourself :

Top 8 Most Expensive Rolex Watches Of All Time: 

8. The Rolex Antimagnetique from 1942 :

Probably the oldest Rolex on our list, the prestigious heritage of the classic 1942 Rolex Antimagnetique is par to none. Originally given only to a choice group of racing drivers and teams, these watches are coveted the world over, due to their extreme rarity.

Specialty: The Rolex Antimagnetique has the largest case ever built by Rolex, at 44 mm! There are also only twelve examples of the Reference 4113 that are known to still exist as of date! 

Price: The Antimagnetique was sold at Phillips auction in 2016, for $2,400,000, which was double the sales price $1,200,000, when it was first sold in 2013.

7. The Rolex Platinum Diamond Pearlmaster:

The Rolex Platinum Diamond Pearlmaster is a timeless masterpiece that exudes both refinement and elegance. This watch was first released in 2011 and continues to capture hearts world-wide.

Specialty: This beautiful limited edition watch is a vision to look at. The Rolex Platinum Diamond Pearlmaster has an unmistakable dial, made of meteorite diamond and also features a bezel that has been decorated with 42 baguette diamonds! 

Price: The Rolex Platinum Diamond Pearlmaster was launched with an incredible price of $277,850. Currently, this luxury watch is available for purchase for $230,000 at Sant Blanc, who is a famous family-owned seller of luxury watches and jewelry. 

6. Paul Newman’s Ferrari Red Rolex Daytona:

Paul Newman, the Academy Award-winning actor who also donned several other hats, including race-car driver had such an impact on Rolex, that they created this 17-jewel Ferrari Red Paul Newman Rolex Oyster Cosmograph Daytona especially for his role in the film that was aptly named “Winning.”

Specialty: Inspired by Ferrari, the Ferrari Red Rolex Daytona features a brilliant red-and-black dial, and is manually wound with 17 jewels and measures 37 mm in diameter. There are few as only eight of these ultra-limited Rolex watches that exist as of today, which makes them very rare and thus, quite sought after. 

Price: The Paul Newman Ferrari Red Rolex Daytona was sold in an auction in 2017 for a princely sum of $267,203.

5. Steve McQueen’s 1967 Rolex Submariner:

The legendary Hollywood actor Steve McQueen who was fondly called “ The King of Cool” was known to be one of the highest-paid actors of the time. And he did like living life king-size too, and his Rolex Submariner keeps the history still alive.  

Specialty:  This masterpiece’s claim to fame is that it was also featured in the actor’s last movie “Hunter”. Thanks to two strategically positioned screws, this historic timepiece has brilliant waterproof capabilities and can comfortably withstand underwater pressure for as much as 200 meters. The unmistakable stainless steel watch has a suave black lacquer dial whose beauty is even more enhanced by its effervescent Mercedes hands, dots and numerals. 

Price: This watch was sold for a whopping $234,000 at the auction event that was held by Antiquorum.

4. James Bond’s 1972 Rolex Submariner:

Yes. You read that right. This is the second Submariner in our compilation of the top five most expensive Rolex watches ever sold! This watch’s claim to fame is that it was worn by Sir Roger Moore himself when he played the ever suave James Bond in the blockbuster movie “ Live and Let Die” that was released in 1973. The watch was sold for $365,000 at a Phillips auction in Geneva in 2015.

Specialty: As you may have heard of, this watch was heavily modified for the movie, making it a collector’s item. In fact, the bezel itself was changed to resemble a circular saw, and was used by Roger Moore to even cut a rope, in the movie! Another fascinating fact is that this watch’s “magnetic field” was also used as a way to unzip Madeline Smith, who played Miss Caruso, Bond’s femme fatale in the movie.  It is also signed by Roger Moore himself.

Price: Given the number of specialties above, even though the watch doesn’t even perform the main function that it is meant to do, because it was so heavily modified, James Bond’s Rolex Submariner was sold for a princely sum of $365,000 at a Phillips auction in Geneva!

3. Eric Clapton’s Rolex Cosmograph Daytona:  

Few people know that one of the musical world’s most recognized artists of the century, Eric Clapton, had another secret love apart from music too. The musical legend also had a deep affinity for exceptional wristwear. One of his favorite watches is Rolex Cosmograph Daytona, which is the only one of four to be ever be built by Rolex. 

Specialty: This unique timepiece comes with silvered chronograph totalizers and components that actually have the same color as the watch’s dial, which led to its ‘Albino’ name.  

Did you know that Eric Clapton’s Daytona, fondly known by watch lovers as the Rolex “Oyster Albino” Cosmograph,  was sold not once but two times for astronomical figures during public auctions? 

Price: The first time this magical watch was auctioned was all the way back in 2003, where it was bought for $505,000 by an anonymous bidder in an auction by Sotheby’s. More recently in 2016, Eric Clapton’s Daytona was sold for a whopping $1.4 million at an auction in Geneva, which is almost thrice the earlier price!  

2. Bao Dai Rolex: 

This unique masterpiece by Rolex (Ref 6062) is a collector’s piece for a vast number of reasons. Apart from being the only known example ever to be produced with diamond indexes and a black dial, it also belonged to the last emperor of the Nguyen Dynasty of Vietnam, who was known to be quite the character. 

It was during a secret peace negation recess in 1954, that the Nguyen emperor had asked a Rolex retailer for the rarest possible Rolex available to man. And boy, was he happy. Made with rare 18K yellow gold, this masterpiece has a triple calendar with moon phase indicators as well. Only one of the three models to have ever known to exist, the Bao Dai also has its diamond indexes on the even hours, while the other two watches have the diamond markers on the odd hours. 

Price: The Bao Dai has been sold twice. For the first time in 2002, it was sold for a  record-breaking price of $235,000. The Bao Dai was sold recently for a super-impressive $5,060,420 and still remains as one of the world’s most significant collector watches

• Paul Newman’s Cosmograph Daytona: 

When you hear about a vintage Rolex with a nickname like ‘The Legend’, you know it’s not your regular watch. When you then add the fact that it is one of only three to be ever produced, you realize you are not looking at a watch, you are looking at a most unique piece of horological history. This beautiful watch was gifted by Paul Newman’s wife, who was constantly worried about his safety, given his daredevil spirit, and his passion for car racing. She had the watch’s case back lovingly inscribed with the words “Drive carefully me.”

Price: Did you know that till date, there has never been another watch that has been sold for as much as Paul Newman’s Daytona? The best part is that a portion of the huge proceeds was given away to support the Nell Newman Foundation, which was built to help carry on this iconic legend’s legacy in philanthropy. Yes, we’ll save you the agony, the price it was sold auctioned at the mindblowing price of $17,752,500!

We hope you liked our list of the top 8 most expensive Rolex watches of all time. What is your favorite one amongst these? Do let us know in the comments below!