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The auction by Antiquorum in Geneva, Switzerland, offered vintage watches from all the leading watch houses. First to go under the hammer for record prices was the Rolex, Ref. 6034 (LOT 379), Oyster Chronograph, 18K rose gold. Made circa 1955, this extremely rare manual wind chronograph wristwatch was the best example that Antiquorum had ever offered at auction. The new owner won it, bidding over CHF 600’000(£509,659).
Another extremely rare Rolex Ref. 1680 Submariner COMEX (Lot 346) from 1979 was sold for more than half a million CHF 524’000 (£445,103).
The COMEX Ref. 1680 is probably the rarest of all COMEX sport watches, since COMEX only commissioned approximately 60 examples. The great majority of those were later serviced with the COMEX dial replaced with a regular Rolex dial.
This example has survived in amazing condition and was never used for diving operations. It is accompanied by its original punched warranty, another unusual feature as most were retained by Comex and never given to the final owner.
The third world record was achieved by the Rolex Ref. 1680, Red Submariner, Meter First Mark II (LOT 345), selling for CHF 103’750 (£88,128).
The ‘Red’ Submariner is one of the most sought-after vintage Rolex references. This example is in fantastic condition and has a gorgeous brown aged and incredibly uniform tropical dial, with original papers from 1969. It was sold with its original fitted box, punched Chronometer attestation and fitted bracelet.