When we hear about a Rolex watch fetching an insane sum at an auction, the reason why is usually pretty clear. Historically, record-setting Rolexes have been rare, highly coveted versions of popular models with impressive provenance. For example, the most-expensive Rolex ever sold — which netted $17.7 million at auction in 2017 — was a Daytona “Paul Newman” that was previously owned by the late actor himself.
But over the weekend at Monaco Legend’s Exclusive Timepieces Auction, a Rolex sold at auction for € 3,284,000, or just shy of $3.5 million, ranking it as the fifth most-expensive Rolex ever sold. But it’s not a Daytona and it wasn’t owned by any famous actors. Hell, it doesn’t even have a model name, only a reference number: 4113. So what is it about this unusual vintage Rolex that made it such a hot commodity on the auction block?
Here’s what you should know about the ultra-rare Rolex ref. 4113.
A Hidden Holy Grail
Unless you’re deep down the Rolex rabbit hole, you probably aren’t familiar with the reference 4113. If you have heard of it, then you’re no doubt acquainted with vintage Rolex collector and authority John Goldberger (a.k.a. Auro Montanari).
Goldberger has authored a number of acclaimed books on vintage watches, including tomes about Patek Philippe and Longines, but his best-known work is 100 Superlative Rolex Watches. This coffee-table compendium features the ref. 4113 on its cover and is largely responsible for bringing the watch’s existence to a wider audience.
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