Before the fall 2019 Geneva auctions, we posted our 2019 Daytona database, compiling a list of every Rolex Daytona up for auction at Christie’s Phillips and Sotheby’s this November (sorry, Antiquorum). Now that the results are in it’s time to take a look at how the Daytona faired.

As you’ll see, four Daytonas failed to sell this season (and one earlier era chronograph, a reference 2508). If you look at these lots, you’ll notice all have some imperfections that make them less than desirable: polishing, missing lume plots, etc. This is not to say that all the lots that did sell are perfect; however, collectors have become rather discerning in what they’re willing to shell out six figures for nowadays. And, as prime examples are increasingly difficult to find on the market, the premium paid for such prime examples continues to grow.

As the vintage watch world continues to have the discussion about originality, restoration, and the ethics of selling vintage watches, auction results reflect the fact that, right now, buzz words like “original”, “unpolished”, “NOS”, and “honest” are what sells.

Additionally, many non-Paul Newman dial Daytonas performed at or above the top end of their estimates. If we’ve reach peak Paul Newman, perhaps money will increasingly move to these more moderately priced examples. In a community that values the buzz words I rattled off in the previous paragraph, the wise investment seems to be pouring money into the best example you can buy with your budget, and not stretching to pick up a less-than-perfect example of something considered more rare or desirable. In other words, if your budget is $75,000, think about picking up a clean, correct and sharp non-Paul Newman Daytona instead of a Paul Newman that’s got problems.

Meanwhile, the outperformer of the season may have been the reference 6239 Paul Newman in 18k gold that sold for CHF 512,000 at Sotheby’s. In general, gold examples performed well. In the rush to stainless steel, perhaps collectors have realized that gold watches are undervalued in the market.

Take a look at the numbers below to help inform your next Daytona purchase.