Rolex Daytona Ref 6269 'Jack of Diamonds'

Christie’s 2022 Geneva watch auction just closed with a lot that was completely sold out, and new heights were reached across the bidding block.

The auction, titled “Rare Watches: Featuring The Kairos Collection Part I,” took place at the Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues and featured a selection of rare Rolexes, three Daytonas and contemporary Patek Philippes.

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It was a sought-after affair that brought many new buyers to the table, 51 percent of which were millennials, which points to an ever-growing interest in timepieces among a fresh generation of affluent buyers. In total, registrants represented 46 countries across six continents.

Rolex Paul Newman Tropical Lemon Daytona Ref. 6264.

The goods were well received, setting 16 world records for final prices on an array of opulent pieces. Those three Rolex Daytonas reigned supreme.

The Rolex Daytona Ref 6269 'Jack of Diamonds' was estimated at CHF 1,100,000 and sold for CHF 1.614 million, or about $1.626 million. The Paul Newman Tropical Lemon Daytona Ref. 6264, estimated at CHF 900,000, sold for CHF 1.254 million or about $1.263 million; while the Rolex Daytona ref. 6241 ‘champagne Paul Newman dial’ estimated at CHF 700,000 sold for CHF 1.071 million or about $1.079 million.

Rolex Oyster perpetual 'turquoise blue' dial 41mm

“Rolex continues to reach new heights of desirability, and probably also thanks to a pool of new and young bidders and buyers from around the world,” Rémi Guillemin, Head of Watches at Christie’s Geneva, says in a press release. “A particular note was the success of the Rolex Daytona Trilogy, putting Geneva at the center of all things Rolex.

“Cartier also showed a very strong desirability, with iconic models like the Crash reaching 819’000 CHF,” he continues. “The Christie's watch team in Geneva continues to raise the bar with a sale that is 100 percent sold, and is very proud to contribute to an exceptional new year that has only just begun.”

Cartier London ‘Crash’ 1990.

Other notable sales included a Patek Philippe "Cathedral" for CHF 957,600; a Rolex Oyster Cosmograph ref. 6263 tropical ‘Paul Newman Panda Dial’ for CHF 579,600; and a Rolex Oyster perpetual 'turquoise blue' dial 41mm for CHF 69,300.

See more images of the auctioned timepieces below, and learn about upcoming auctions at christies.com.