Market
PoyFR brings to light a significant moment in the luxury watch market: the record-breaking sale of a rare 'John Player Special' Rolex Daytona. This article delves into the unique characteristics and market performance of this exceptional timepiece, offering insights into what makes certain vintage Rolex references achieve such stratospheric values. PoyFR's post highlights not just the monetary value but also the cultural significance and collector appeal of such a rare Daytona.
Record $1.5 million for a rare'JOHN PLAYER SPECIAL' Rolex Daytona
This unique luxury watch also set a record for an online auction.
Reported by maxim.com - Steve HUFF
The Rolex Daytona Paul Newman ref. 6264 “John Player Special” isn't your everyday luxury timepiece, and no further proof is needed than knowing it just went for a record-setting £1,215,000 ($1,545,723 USD) on auction at Sotheby’s.
This 18k yellow gold masterpiece isn't quite one of a kind—a nearly identical model is featured in the 2018 video below—but it's close.
That's why the auction actually set a couple of benchmarks—in addition to being the United Kingdom record-holder for the most expensive watch ever sold it is also the most costly sold online.
If the model's name doesn't ring a bell for Americans, Gear Patrol has a bit of history for us:
The "John Player Special," so named for the John Player-brand cigarettes livery found on 1970s Lotus Formula One cars, describes a special black and gold look that's instantly recognizable to collectors and Daytona devotees. This particular JPS is (...) notable, however, for having been produced in 18k yellow gold rather than steel (only about 10 examples are known) and further, for featuring a "Paul Newman"-style exotic dial in black.
The "John Player" blew past the original estimated price in the high hundred thousands.
Here are some specs from Sotheby's listing for the now-closed auction:
Dial: black Paul Newman John Player Special
Calibre: cal. 727 manual winding, 17 jewels
Case: 18k yellow gold, screw-down back
Case number: 2'357'405
Closure: 18k yellow gold Rolex Oyster bracelet and folding clasp
Dimensions: 37 mm, bracelet circumference approx. 180 mm
Signed: case, dial and movement
Accessories: Rolex presentation case
Sotheby's also noted that the watch was "in good condition, with lights minor scuffs throughout."
Imagine what it would have sold for without those minor flaws.
If you missed your chance, don't worry—Sotheby's has many more Rolexes available for auction. They probably aren't even that scuffed.
Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Reference 6264
The reference 6264 represents Rolex's Cosmograph Daytona offering produced from 1969 to 1987. This reference features a white dial configuration within the Daytona chronograph collection, distinguishing it through its manual-wind movement and specific dial presentation during this production period.
The 37mm stainless steel case houses the manual-wind caliber 727 movement, providing 48 hours of power reserve. The watch features a fixed tachymeter bezel and acrylic crystal, with water resistance rated to 50 meters. The white dial is paired with an Oyster bracelet construction.
This reference appeals to collectors seeking manual-wind Daytona examples from the 1970s and 1980s production era. The 6264 offers entry into vintage Daytona collecting with its stainless steel case material and white dial variant. The nearly two-decade production run provides availability for collectors interested in this specific caliber 727-powered configuration within the Cosmograph Daytona range.
The most popular watch website made the same error: not the most expensive watch to have sold at auction in the UK, rather the most expensive wristwatch. No doubt everyone is copying and pasting the same article. This is a side effect of high prices where the headline just needs a big number to attract readers and accuracy be gone! (I know it's pedantry, but that's part of the fun).
as for record No 1 or last evidently it is here not so important unless one here owns one and has fun all the way to the... safe ;-)
But I can't help but get frustrated by misinformation. I'm not even trying to work on it!
This thread is active on the Rolex forum with 3 replies. Share your knowledge with fellow collectors.
Join the Discussion →
