Antiquorum Rolex
>> Monday, February 22, 2010
This auction gathered a great number of Rolex Sports watches. Frankly speaking, to any professional media, the report of any auction with a special subject of a brand should not be too long, but only two brands are in exception.(Excuse me for not writing them down here, actually most professionals and readers with profound insights all know how these two brands impact on the three largest auctions )This auction was pre-exhibited in several large cities such as Beijing, Tokyo, Los Angeles, Hong Kong and Genevese, I also went to the head office of Antiquorum Auction House twice to watch these treasures in auction. It was a very big and rare auction from Mr. Osvaldo after he resigned the chairman of Antiquorum, and even parts of the treasures can compare with items in the famous Rolex Auction of Mr. Mondani. Most of the 270 auction items were closed a bargain and the purchase price figured out at 8,515,260 US dollars. And it created a new record for several brands, in which the display was very magnificent and the competition was quite furious.
Now, let's review parts of the deals with short articles.
Rolex Oyster kit
Estimated Price: 10,000USD^15,000USD
Purchase Price: 28,000USD
Made in 1980's. It contains a whole set of Rolex Oyster stainless steel watch cases and spare parts. Model number: 16000. The size of box: 38*21*5.5mm. Perfectly preserved.
Review: for the first 65 auction items, they are not real watches, but some attachments to watch, such as display stand, pen, mirror, box for watch, writing case, cutter knife, ashtray, notebook and cufflink. But from the achievement of the auction, they were all closed a bargain with high price, even they were not valuable at all before (at that time) and were considered as souvenirs by civilians. You cannot deny that it is a successful symbol for this brand in collection world. This item was a set box specially for displaying the production of Oyster watch early from the factory, and you can see that how these two important steels were used to made into famous Oyster watch case from rough parts. In addition, it also attaches oysterlock watch head, the structure and production process of sapphire watch mirror. Since it is not open sale and with great research value, so the purchase price (including commission) is high to 28,800 USD.
From my point of view, in the first 65 auction items, No.21 (display holder for automatic winding movement in 1930's, attaching automatic movement, purchase price of which is 12,000USD), No.24 (pocket watch from 1950's, purchase price (including commission) of which is 10,800USD), No.59 (automatic movement from 1970's, purchase price of which is 8,400USD), and No.62 (several inner products from the factory, the purchase price of which is 9,600USD) are with high collection value.
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date Sea-Dweller "Space-Dweller"
Estimated price: 20,000USD^30,000USD
Purchase price: 48,000USD
Certified by The Swiss Official Chronometer Control. Model number: 1016. Made in 1963. Good appearance and quite rare. Automatic winding movement and central second hand.
The common 1016 is popular in the market and it only takes a few dozen thousand Yuan. But for this one, although you cannot see how special it is from the inside to outside, it is with an extra phrase on the watch dial: Space-Dweller. This 1016, which was made in 1963, is the special belonging for the astronaut of the first manned space station in USA. As far as the watch is concerned, it is only with an extra phrase, but from collection point of view, it is a big difference. The purchase price (including commission) of this auction item is high to 48,000USD, which creates a small record for this model. Always, the collection value is only different in small things.
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date GMT-Master with transparent back
Estimated price: 20,000USD^30,000USD
Purchase price: 125,500USD
Certified by The Swiss Official Chronometer Control. Model number: 1675. Made in 1960's. Good appearance and quite rare, automatic winding movement, dual time, central second hand, with calendars, special made transparent back, special 24hour index and hand. With official certificate of The Swiss Official Chronometer Control, a book named "The story of Time", after sales certificate of Rolex as complimentary gifts.
This is not a common GMT, otherwise it is only worth a few dozen thousand Yuan. This GMT is a custom product which Professor Hugh G. Wales of University of South Africa ordered from Rolex on 7th of March, 1962. It is not only custom-made but also with transparent back which is quite rare in the history of Rolex. Of all the Rolex products, apart from two oysters with manual winding movement and transparent back in 1940's, this is the third transparent product recognized by the factory. Maybe at that time, Rolex was not so missish and could accept such special custom-made products. The more precious thing for this GMT is that the letters between the factory at that time and the professor are being kept, telling the cause and effect of this custom-made product, so it is called Rolex with stories. The purchase price also reflects the popularity of this treasure. I think although it is furious, but not enough. If it is on auction again several years later, the price maybe several times higher.
Tudor Oyster Calendar Chronograph
Estimated price: 10,000USD^15,000USD
Purchase price: 48,000USD
Model Number: 7031/0. The watch case was made by Rolex in 1971, sold on 10th of July, 1972. Good appearance. With calendars. Round timing button, Speed Measurement. With original box, production certificate and sales record.
Tudor of 7031 has not been easy to find in recent years. This one was made in 1970's, with the design style and color at that time: vigorous, practical, and young. Nowadays, this style has been popularized into all over sports and non-sports editions. We have to say that Rolex is one of the few top brands which are beyond times in this field. This auction item is in good condition, and also keeps the outside package and sales record. But it is really unexpected that the purchase price could reach 48,000USD. Tudor, is not considered as a side brand of Rolex any more.
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date Milgauss with black dial
Estimated price: 70,000USD^100,000USD
Purchase price: 190,400USD
Certified by The Swiss Official Chronometer Control. Model Number: 6541. Made in 1958. Good appearance and quite rare, automatic winding movement, flashing central hand, Cellular texture dial.
6541 is the famous and earliest Milgauss. At the time around 1954, famous brands such as IWC, Omega, Rolex produced their own famous antimagnetic watches successively. This famous one with flashing hand was made in 1958. The figure design at that time followed the famous submariner, but some details were different such as words in the outside circle and hands. But the real difference is the inner structure: the integrated antimagnetic soft steel wraps the movement just like a steel box, functioning as pilot and magnetic screen. This auction is in a very good condition; particularly the case shape and hinge lug still keep the polish just as when they were made. It is quite rare and popular. The purchase price (including commission) is nearly 200,000USD, which ranks No.4 in all purchase prices. Is it a high price? Not at all! If I have enough money, I will go to compete with others (since it is a competition, you need to pay more than normal). After all, the number of it is so limited and it is just like the rare "green sapphire".
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date Submariner Military
Estimated price: 100,000USD^150,000USD
Purchase price: 166,800USD
Model number: 5513. Made in 1973. Sold to UK Military in 1975. The UK Military code was carved at the bottom. Good appearance and quite rare, automatic winding movement, central second hand, water resistant to 200m. With Rolex and UK Military certificate.
Military 5513 is the typical and classical military submariner edition. The most differences from the common style are the special hands and the UK military watch bezel on the case. Springs between Hinge lugs are also different from the takedown structure of common style, and they are unmovable for robustness and can only match canvas military belt. Military submariner collectors have to know this detail. This auction item is in good condition. The light it releases at night is with ancient flavor. The purchase price is so amazing, which is 166800USD including commission.
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date Submariner "Panama Canal"
Estimated price: 10,000USD^15,000USD
Purchase price: 90,000USD
Certified by The Swiss Official Chronometer Control. Code: 31/75, model number: 16610. One of the 75 pieces for the limited edition, made in 1999. Good appearance and quite rare, automatic winding movement, central second hand. With original certificate and box.
The common 16610 is about 30 thousand Yuan in the second hand market (certainly it is only RMB but not USD).but this one is the limited edition and was custom-made in 1999 for USA. The pattern printed on the case by factory is where it is valuable. It is recoded that only 75 pieces were made for this edition, and this auction item is No.31. From my point of view, it is meaningless to limit the number, and it is extremely crazy that the purchase price is 90,000USD. This edition is embodied on page 199 of "1908-2008, 100 Years of Rolex".
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date Sea-Dweller "Comex"
Estimated price: 100,000USD^150,000USD
Purchase price: 248,800USD
Certified by The Swiss Official Chronometer Control. Model Number: 1665. Made in 1979. Good appearance and quite rare. Automatic winding movement, central second hand, water resistant to 610m. With original certificate, box and original Comex manometer.
From 1977 to 1982, there were about 300 sea-dwellers of 1665 being delivered to COMEX. So this famous company of submersible work also became the talent for Rolex Sea-Dweller. Of the first 100 which were delivered from 1977, the water resistance mark on the dial is 600m. Such dials are usually called as PISANI by the collectors. On the COMEX dial, the locations of each word and even the capitalization of letters L,C are distinguishable by rare edition and common edition. The attachments of this auction item are complete, and even include the rare COMEX manometer. When making the highest purchase price of nearly 250,000 in this auction, the research work of each edition of Sea-Dweller is also beginning on the media.
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date Sea-Dweller Submariner with no Helium Escape Valve and Double Red Words
Estimated price: 110,000USD^130,000USD
Purchase price: 237,600USD
Certified by The Swiss Official Chronometer Control. Model Number: 1665. Made in 1967. Good appearance and rare, automatic winding movement, central second hand, water resistant to 610m. With a sea-Dweller logo of double red words.
1665 of no helium escape valve and double red words was sold at nearly 240,000USD. It seems to be unreasonable, because only several months ago, it was only worth a small percentage of that price. But it seems to tell us something, after all, the vote is the truth. I don't know why either, so please tell me if you have any idea.
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date Sea-Dweller Submariner 2000 Double Red Words Mark I
Estimated price: 150,000USD^200,000USD
Purchase price: 237,600USD
Certified by The Swiss Official Chronometer Control. Model Number: 1665. Made in 1967. Good appearance and rare, automatic winding movement, central second hand, water resistant to 610m. With a Sea-Dweller logo of double red words. With original certificate, box and certificate of The Swiss Official Chronometer Control.
I have several books to do with Rolex submariner edition. To be short, this thing only pursues "rare". Why it is rare? Only different in the words on the dial. It can create several hundred thousand USD different only with different fonts and colors. This "Double Red" (DRSD) which was made in 1967 and the red words were actually powder made. The price of most rare Rolex sports watches is hard to estimate. You can only see what the result tells you.
Rolex Oyster Daytona Gold "Paul Newman"
Estimated price: 80,000USD^120,000USD
Purchase price: 166,800USD
Model Number: 6265. Made in about 1979. Good appearance and rare, with timing, with speed measurement on the golden watch bezel. With original certificate and box.
The price of nearly brand new golden Paul Newman has gone up a lot in the recent years, and it is standard Rolex collection of high price. But when thinking back (actually it was not long ago when it was sometime between the end of 1980's and the beginning of 1990's), its price used to drop several times, and the huge drop gave scalpers a downright disappointment. Actually at that time, even Patek Philippe and Rolex had a hard time, let alone those second line brands in other auctions. This auction item is nearly brand new and the purchase price including commission is nearly as twice as the estimated price. From today's market, this is also a crazy price.
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date "Jean-Claude Killy"
Estimated price: 80,000USD^120,000USD
Purchase price: 155,000USD
Model Number: 6236. Made in 1958. Good appearance and rare, ohm shape watch case, round timing button, with calendars. With original box.
Jean-Claude Killy is less famous than Paul Newman, but at least it is something more complex than Paul Newman. And it is almost a "very complex edition" of Rolex if plus the moon phase. The price of this model has also gone up a lot these years. After all, it is the very complex and rare Rolex sports watch. Since it has satisfied the sellers and buyers, plus its good appearance, it is quite normal that the purchase price (including commission) is 150,000USD.
Rolex Daytona
Estimated price: 60,000USD^90,000USD
Purchase price: 143,200USD
Retailed by Cartier, Model Number: 6239. Made in early 1960's. Good appearance and rare. Round timing button, with speed measurement in the watch bezel.
Another expensive item, and the reason is quite simple, because it is with "Cartier" on the face. I neither had a chance nor watched the hinge lug to see if there were sales serial numbers on the back. Maybe you can find the pictures on the website of TIMEZONE. Here I have to mention that the internet has been so prevalent these two years, and as a column of excellent TIMEZONE and this auction house, the picture provision of auction details are so popular. Since clear pictures of all angles including movement can be available over internet, so you can watch them very carefully which may not be available even if by the auction or being there personally.
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Day-Date -The First Generation
Estimated price: 15,000USD^20,000USD
Purchase price: 24,000USD
Certified by The Swiss Offical Chronometer Control. Model number: 6511. Made in 1956. Good appearance and rare. Ohm shape watch case. Automatic winding movement. Central second hand. With calendars.
This beautiful and nice early Day-Date edition was bought by a BBS friend of a Chinese famous watch shop. He seemed to be very proud. After all, comparing with modern design, the dial is much more beautiful with red words and red and black date. I watched it carefully from inside to outside, and it is really "once in a blue moon". 24,000USD is not an expensive price.
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Day-Date White Gold
Estimated price: 9,000USD^14,000USD
Purchase price: 14,400USD
Certified by The Swiss Official Chronometer Control. Code: 1803, made at the end of 1950's. Good appearance and rare, automatic winding movement, ohm shape case and with calendars.
I used to argue with Teacher Xu from Guangzhou about what kinds of hands could go with such markers. I insisted that such sharp arrow hand was the original design and it could match well. But Teacher Xu said that noodle shape hand was used to match those markers, and from the early operation guide of auction matches, we could see that there was a noodle shape hand match which was really inconsistent, but I still stuck to my own view. That was not the original idea of early design (changing the details of the original design according to the current stock when production is going on is quite common). This early one with white gold day-date hand is really in a good match and very consistent. You cannot change beauty, and not giving up pursuing is to stick to the principle. But this watch is not in a good condition, so it is a little expensive to cost more than ten thousand USD.
Tudor Oyster Prince Submariner with square crown guards
Estimated price: 10,000USD^115,000USD
Purchase price: 40,800USD
Model Number: 7928. Made in 1959. The case was made by Rolex, and the code is 7928. Good appearance and rare, automatic winding movement, central second hand.
This one is the famous Tudor with square crown guards. Made in 1959, which is the early Tudor oyster prince. And the head is quite different from the traditional ones, and only with this, the price is a big difference. The estimated price is only something more than ten thousand USD, but the purchase price is 40,800USD. Going back to the second line brands, maybe you can find some spare parts to this treasure.
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