Rolex charity auction Daytona watches raises $49.4M
Four unique Rolex Daytona watches sold at Phillips in London for a combined $49.4 million, with proceeds split between the Federer Foundation and Re:wild
Phillips hosted Rolex's first-ever charity auction in central London. The sale of four one-of-a-kind Rolex Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytonas raised a combined $49.4 million, with proceeds split evenly between the Federer Foundation and Re:wild. Senior Consultant Aurel Bacs led the auction, which benefits children's education and global ecosystem restoration through these charities, supporting Rolex's broader Perpetual Planet Initiative.
These were not traditional off-catalog special editions. Roger Federer and Leonardo DiCaprio were involved as beneficiaries through their respective foundations. The event set a new benchmark for a charity watch sale. Each watch was sold individually through Phillips.
The four seasonal Daytona watches
Four unique Rolex Daytona watches, each representing a season, were crafted in different precious metals with distinctive gemstone dials. All feature Rolex’s Calibre 4131 movement, Superlative Chronometer certification, and diamond-set lugs and crown guards. They were sold individually.
| Season | Case Material | Dial | Counters | Sale Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter | Platinum | Blue opal | Lapis lazuli | $13.2 million |
| Summer | Everose gold | Turquoise | Ruby | $13.65 million |
| Autumn | 18ct yellow gold | Mookaite | Chrysoprase | $13.5 million |
| Spring | 18ct white gold | Chrysoprase | Lepidolite | $9 million |
Record-breaking results and bidding details
The auction achieved a total of $49.4 million. Bidding started at £500,000 for each lot and escalated rapidly. Each sale took approximately 15 minutes. Three winning bidders participated by phone, while one was present in the room. Celebrities including Mick Jagger and Jon Bon Jovi attended.
Context and reactions from the auctioneer
Aurel Bacs, who previously auctioned Paul Newman’s Daytona for $17.75 million, described the event as historic. He admitted to being nervous beforehand. Bacs stated, 'Rolex's first charity auction.' He called it a privilege to witness the energy in the room, united by shared values of excellence and a commitment to making a positive difference.
The auction occurred after a preview at Watches and Wonders in Geneva. It follows other landmark sales, including the $6.5 million Tiffany Blue Patek Philippe Nautilus and Phillips's own record for the highest-grossing watch auction in Geneva earlier this year. Major auction houses have further sales scheduled in Geneva, Hong Kong, and New York before year's end.
The proceeds will support the Federer Foundation’s work in children’s education in Southern Africa and Switzerland, and Re:wild’s global ecosystem protection and restoration initiatives.
