Monday, April 21, 2008

Happy Birthday, Rolex


Did you know that Rolex turns 100 this year? To celebrate the occasion, noted watch auction house Antiquorum planned "Revolution: The Evolution of the Rolex Sports Watch" that took place last Friday, April 17. Antiquorum gathered some of the brand's most sought after and desired sports models and put them up for auction in both New York and Milan. The results? A staggering $8.5 million for 270 pieces, including nine world record buys. 

The biggest sale, lot 201, was an Oyster Perpetual Date "Comex, Sea Dweller, 2000ft/610m", Superlative Chronometer made in 1979 (see above). It went for $248,800. Other interesting top 10 sales were a yellow gold 1979 "Paul Newman" Oyster Chronograph Daytona for $166,800 and an "Oyster Perpetual Submariner" Military Rolex issued for the British Army in 1975 also for $168,800.

Julien Schaerer, watch director of Antiquorium USA, summed up the auction by saying "Today's outcome for our thematic auction was strong evidence of collectors' appreciation for Rolex." My point exactly. If you've ever thought about buying a Rolex for yourself or as a gift, let this auction remind you that vintage models really don't depreciate. 

Click right here to see four pages of excellent Rolexes for sale on Portero. You know I'm a yellow gold girl, so my favorite remains this vintage 1981 Oyster Perpetual Automatic. It's a men's watch, but it would make the most chic oversized watch on a woman. 

Image via antiquorium.com