While it’s difficult to single out the sale’s big draw, it’s safe to say that a trio of yellow gold 1:1 fake Rolex Daytonas is expected to attract the lion’s share of attention. Never before seen together and at the same time at auction, the trilogy includes a Ref. 6269 “Jack of Diamonds” with a low estimate of 1,100,000 Swiss francs (about $1,167,000), the cheap replica Rolex Ref. 6264 with “Tropical Lemon Paul Newman” dial and the Ref. 6241 with “Champagne Paul Newman” dial.
“One of these maybe comes up once in two years,” says Davis. “To have all three together is quite extraordinary.”
Made for the French market in the mid-1980s, Lot 38, the manually wound 18-karat gold UK 1:1 replica Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Ref. 6269 “Jack of Diamonds” features a diamond-set bezel and pavé diamond and sapphire-set dial. It’s one of only two examples known publicly bearing French importation marks and the Rolex France logo “Sté*R” for “Société Rolex.” Beyond the elusiveness of the reference, the piece bears additional special marks, such as a caseback stamped with the French “owl” importation gold marks and both a caseback and bracelet clasp stamped with the Swiss made copy Rolex France Logo.
Lot 129, the 18k gold Paul Newman Tropical Lemon AAA fake Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Ref. 6264 (Est: CHF 900,000-1,800,000) embodies the rarity and singularity of the finest Rolex references. Held by the original owner until around 2012, the piece was acquired by a well-known European Rolex collector and is now regarded as one of the most important gold Paul Newman Swiss movement fake Rolex Daytona wristwatches in existence.
To round out the trilogy, Christie’s is offering Lot 128, the luxury copy Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Ref. 6241 “Champagne Paul Newman Dial” (Est: CHF 700,000-1,200,000). Produced for around three years between 1966 and 1969, the reference 6241 is already rare — that this model appears in 18k gold and bears a champagne dial featuring gilt printing vaults it into a realm of extreme rarity.
Says Christie’s: “The overall appeal of this superb replica Rolex for sale UK is completed by the very rare Mark 1 bezel, highly sought-after by collectors.”