Close Up: $1.14 Million Rolex Reference 8171 “Padellone”

Today we’re taking a close up look at the top lot from Christie’s recent Important Watches auction in New York. The highlight of the auction, which took place on December 17, was Lot 186, a stainless steel and diamond-set automatic triple calendar Rolex wristwatch with moon phases and two-toned silvered dial.

Known as the “Sleeping Beauty”, pre-auction estimates had this circa-1953 model pegged at a value of between $250,000 – $350,000. However, after a fierce bidding war that spanned across four countries, it sold for $1,145,000 to an anonymous buyer, setting a world auction record for a Rolex reference 8171.

In total, Christie’s New York Important Watches auction saw 333 lots sold, for a total of $12,926,175.

Photo courtesy Christie’s.