Take the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona reference 6241 in 18-carat yellow gold, otherwise known as the ‘John Player Special’ (for obvious reasons), for example. The fresh-to-market watch is one of just a handful of known examples and is in frankly stunning condition. It’s estimated accordingly at 500,000–1m US dollars.
Another ultra-special piece is the Patek Philippe ref. 5004, which is among the rarest references thanks to its raft of complications, including a perpetual calendar, split-seconds chronograph, moon phase indicator, and leap year indication. Phillips’ example is particularly special, being one of the final 50 stainless-steel pieces before the reference was discontinued in 2009. It’s estimated to fetch 410,000–641,000 dollars.
If you’re yearning to add an Omega Speedmaster to your collection, why not go the whole hog with the collection of 20 offered (est. 79,500–128,000 dollars), the last of just 40 such sets sold in 1997 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the model? Other personal favourites of ours include the beautifully patinated first-execution Heuer Autavia ‘Full Lumes’ (60,300–118,000 dollars) and the early-1960s Rolex Submariner ‘Meters First’, whose formerly black dial has turned to a stunning shade of milk-chocolate brown. You can find our 10 favourite heavyweights from the sale listed below or, alternatively, browse the entire catalogue in the Classic Driver Market.
