In the world of vintage watches, some sales go beyond market value — they rewrite horological history. From emperors and astronauts to fakes and forgotten legends, these ten extraordinary auction stories are more than record-breaking; they’re windows into culture, design, and obsession. Here’s a look at the most compelling cases to ever hit the hammer.
1. Puyi’s Patek Philippe Ref. 96: The Last Emperor’s Watch
In 2023, Phillips auctioned an extraordinary Patek Philippe Ref. 96 Quantième Lune once owned by Aisin-Gioro Puyi — the last emperor of China. Crafted in 1937, this ultra-rare triple calendar moonphase in platinum with an enamel “roulette” dial had been gifted by Puyi to his Soviet interpreter during captivity.
Forgotten for decades, it reemerged to sell for over $6.2 million, setting records as the most valuable wristwatch owned by an emperor. It's a perfect blend of imperial provenance, war history, and Patek rarity — only eight of this reference are known to exist.
2. The “Fake” Omega That Fooled Everyone
In 2021, an Omega Speedmaster 2915-1 — the holy grail of early Speedies — went under the hammer in Geneva. Marketed as original, untouched, and with tropical dial, it fetched over $3.4 million, making it the most expensive Omega ever sold.
But then came the shock: Omega itself later declared the watch a fake. The dial, bezel, and hands were not original, and serial numbers didn’t match factory records. The revelation rocked the vintage world and reminded collectors: even with big houses and big names, due diligence is king. The buyer rescinded the purchase, and the auction house faced major scrutiny.
3. Paul Newman’s Daytona — The Watch That Made the Market
It’s impossible to discuss auctions without Paul Newman’s Rolex Daytona Ref. 6239, sold in 2017 by Phillips for $17.8 million.
This wasn’t just a rare model — it was Newman’s personal watch, engraved by his wife, Joanne Woodward. It elevated the Daytona from cult favorite to global blue-chip icon and forever fused Hollywood glamour with steel sports watches.
4. The Bao Dai Rolex — Royal Provenance, Record Price
In 2017, the Rolex Ref. 6062 “Bao Dai”, owned by the last emperor of Vietnam, sold for $5.06 million. Its appeal?
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A black dial with diamond indices
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A triple calendar moonphase complication
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And the fact that it was purchased during the 1954 Geneva Convention
Only one exists in this configuration. It’s as much Cold War artifact as it is haute horlogerie.
5. George Daniels “Space Traveller II” — British Genius, Eternal Legacy
Sold for £3.6 million at Sotheby’s in 2019, this handmade pocket watch by George Daniels — the inventor of the Co-Axial escapement — is considered one of the most important timepieces ever made.
It displays both solar and sidereal time, with a chronograph and equation of time. Daniels crafted it himself, by hand, without CNC or factories. It’s not just a watch — it’s a philosophy in metal.
6. Marlon Brando’s Apocalypse Now GMT
Marlon Brando wore a Rolex GMT-Master Ref. 1675 in Apocalypse Now — without its bezel, because the director said it looked “too flashy.”
Brando engraved the case back himself with “M. Brando.” When it finally appeared at Phillips in 2019, it sold for $1.95 million. The watch was raw, utilitarian, and a reminder that provenance trumps polish.
7. The Only Titanium Patek Philippe 5208T
Made for charity at the Only Watch Auction 2017, this Patek Philippe 5208T-010 is the only titanium version of its kind. It houses a minute repeater, monopusher chronograph, and perpetual calendar — a showcase of modern high-end watchmaking.
It fetched $6.2 million, combining technical virtuosity with a one-off material and purpose-built rarity.
8. Eric Clapton’s Platinum Patek 2499
In 2012, a platinum Patek Philippe 2499, previously owned by Eric Clapton, sold at Christie’s for $3.6 million.
Only two platinum examples of the 2499 are known to exist. Pair that with rock legend provenance, and you get an auction record that fueled interest in perpetual calendar chronographs — and made Clapton a watch-collector icon.
9. The Rolex “Unicorn” Daytona — One of One
In 2018, the market saw something never thought to exist: a Rolex Daytona Ref. 6265 in white gold. Dubbed “The Unicorn,” it was the only known example and sold for $5.9 million, with all proceeds going to charity.
It upended the assumption that vintage Daytonas only came in steel or yellow gold. And it raised the bar for collector-grade rarity.
10. The Cartier Crash — Salvador Dalí in Watch Form
The Cartier Crash, especially early London-signed models from the 1960s, has become one of the most coveted surrealist designs in watches.
One such original sold for over $1.5 million in 2022. Its origin story — possibly inspired by a real crash that melted a watch into the iconic shape — makes it part myth, part masterpiece.
Conclusion: More Than Collectibles
What ties these watches together isn't just price — it's narrative. A fallen emperor’s gift. A watch that faked its way to $3 million. A movie prop that became legend. These aren’t just tools or fashion — they’re time capsules.
Whether you're chasing a Paul Newman Daytona or hunting for a forgotten Raketa in a flea market, these stories remind us: vintage watches live beyond the dial.