Antiquorum – in collaboration with Monaco Legend Group – is about to auction a bunch of vintage Rolex Daytonas in two of their upcoming auctions. Rare Watches – Fine Jewels – Modern Art on July 17/18 and Auction Porsche 911 & Rolex Daytona on July 19, 2018. Both auctions will take place in Monaco.

Several red flags went on after checking the Daytonas thoroughly with the data recorded in my database. Two watches are made-up with swapped dials, two are openly offered with fake parts and another two feature Paul Newman dials that are not period-correct, ergo made-up as well. Oh, and then there is also a very peculiar Submariner 5510.

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July 16, 2018: Rare Watches – Fine Jewels – Modern Art

LOT 86A – ROLEX DAYTONA 6265 FUERZA AERA DEL PERU STEEL

Reference: 6265
Dial: Silver Sigma
Case number: 4026088

Aution Link: LOT 86A – Rolex daytona 6265 Fuerza Aerea del Peru Steel

This FAP (Fuerza Aerea del Peru) Daytona features a sought-after Sigmal dial. The σ (Sigma) symbol left and right from the T SWISS T denomination at 6 o’clock refers to the application of white gold hour markers. Most FAP Daytonas in the case number proximity of this watch feature Sigma dials.

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The story goes that thanks to a great friendship between the Rolex Director for South America and a watch dealer in Peru’s capital Lima, Rolex managed to pitch a contract for delivering watches to the Peruvian Air Force (Fuerza Area del Peru) in the 1960s. Supplied were Daytonas, GMTs and also Submariners. In 1968, Peru was the first Latin American country to introduce supersonic fighter jets (Dassault Mirage 5P).

Coming back to the Daytona in question, Antiquorum describes the watch on sale as follows:

“The present model is preserved in very original condition, the dots luminous are all present and originals screw pushers and steel bezel.”

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The interesting thing is that this very watch was auctioned by Antiquorum only four years ago. Antiquorum has changed ownership since then but their watch database includes all watches from the old Antiquorum. As a matter of fact, Antiquorum has changed ownership countless times. Whenever on the brink of bankruptcy, Antiquorum somehow managed to survive by swiftly changing ownership while getting rid of accumulated debt in the process and leaving previous investors empty-handed.

However, back in 2014, the very same Daytona had a different dial in it. The watch was offered with a tropical Oyster dial. According to Antiquorum’s watch database, the watch was not sold.

Auction Link: LOT 210 – Rolex Ref 6265 / 6263 Oyster Cosmograph Daytona FAP Brown Dial

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A comparison between the two pictures shows that they are indeed one and the same watch.

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An interesting observation is that all FAP Daytonas from FAP batches before and after this watch have Sigma dials. It could be argued that this watch was simply restored to original condition with a period-correct Sigma dial.

If this is the case, the question that arises is why did in 2014 the watch have a wrong tropical dial in the first place?
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Cal. 727 movement with correct 5-liner chronograph bridge.

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FAP watches have distinctive “Fuerza Aerea del Peru” engravings on the outside of the caseback. As usual for issued watches or special orders, Rolex additionally engraved the case number on the inside of the caseback.

Interestingly, Antiquorum didn’t provide caseback pictures of this watch. Considering there are two other FAP Daytonas for sale at Antiquorum and both watches are listed with said pictures of the caseback, the lack of pictures in this case is a bit strange.

However, FAP watches were made in batches. This watch is outside the usual range for Fuerza Aerea del Peru Daytonas. There is one batch in the area of 4018000 and another batch around 4049000. This watch has case number 4026088.

Is this a proper FAP Daytona or is something wrong with it? Without high-resolution pictures of the caseback it is difficult to say but the controversy of this watch does not end here.

Nope, there is one more thing! What happened to the brown dial that was installed in this watch in May 2014?

The answer is simple, the brown dial was transferred to LOT 12 of Antiquorum’s Porsche 911 & Rolex Daytona auction on July 19, 2018. Let’s have a closer look at that lot, shall we?

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July 19, 2018: Auction Porsche 911 & Rolex Daytona

LOT 12 – ROLEX DAYTONA 6263 TROPICAL FUERZA AEREA DEL PERU

Reference: 6263
Dial: Black ROC (tropical)
Case number: 3955585

Auction Link: LOT 12 – Rolex Daytona 6263 Tropical Fuerza Aerea del Peru

This Daytona features a stunning “tropical” dial, a dial that has a striking resemblance to the tropical dial which was installed in case number 4026088 in 2014. Let’s have a closer look.

“The brownish yellow dial of this watch is simply breathtaking.”

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Here is a comparison of the dials. Both dials have very distinctive markings on the subdials which absolutely match each other. There is no doubt that this is exact the same tropical dial.

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By looking at the comparison above, one could also get the impression that the dial was tampered with to make it look more “tropical”. Maybe it is just the light.

Another thing to take into consideration are the peculiar brownish stains around the edges of the subdials. What are those stains?

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The caseback of this watch with typical “Fuerza Aerea del Peru” engravings on the outside of the caseback.

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And the usual Rolex hallmarks plus additional case number engravings. The case number is very poorly engraved. It is interesting to note that this watch is outside the usual range of FAP Daytonas as well.

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The next picture shows the movement of the watch in question. This type of Cal. 727 is consistent with the case number range.

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Thoughts

It was interesting to learn how dials can change from one watch to another to make them more attractive for collectors.

The fact that Antiquorum did not provide pictures of the caseback for the first watch in question is a bit suspicious, considering the watch is outside the usual case number range for FAP Daytonas. Add the swapped dial to make the watch look more legit within the FAB family and you get an idea what this watch could be all about.

The second watch is also outside the usual case number range for FAP Daytonas. The case number engravings on the inside of the caseback are very poor but maybe the engraver just had a bad day.

However, I think what we have seen here speaks for itself. A simple case number search within their own database could have avoided this mess.

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July 17, 2018: Rare Watches – Fine Jewels – Modern Art

LOT 307 – ROLEX DAYTONA NON ORIGINAL PAUL NEWMAN “NO STEP” STEEL

Reference: 6240
Dial: 3-colour ROC “Mk2” Paul Newman (not original)
Case number: 1297606

Auction Link: LOT 307 – Rolex Daytona Non Original Paul Newman “No Step” Steel

Ref. 6240 was the first Daytona model to incorporate the iconic screw-down pushers. The pushers on this watch are the earliest version, so-called “Millerighe” (thousand lines).

With case number 1297606, the present watch belongs to the very first batch of Ref. 6240, made in a time when Paul Newman dials where not yet available. The black acrylic bezel appears to be a service part.

As mentioned in the title, Antiquorum openly offers this watch with a non-original Paul Newman dial without step for the minute track, or simply put a fake dial.

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The next picture shows how an original Paul Newman dial should look like. Can you see the small step between the minute track and the rest of the dial?

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Fake dials should be destroyed in my opinion and not be put back into circulation. The fake Paul Newman dial of this watch was originally made to scam collectors and it is beyond anyones control where it will end up once the watch is sold.

In addition to keeping fake parts in the market, Antiquorum came up with a fantastic story about the provenenance of this fake dial.

“The exotic “non-step” or “second generation” dials were manufactured in the 90s by Singer. This company used the same “clichés” as at the time but unlike the dial of the time, this one did not include any relief. While the original dial has been at some point exchanged with a non-original exotic dial, the case as well as the movement remains original to the watch. Please note that due to the nature of the dial, this watch cannot be serviced by Rolex.”

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Antiquorum is basically claiming this dial was made by the original dial manufacturer Jean Singer & Cie SA who also made the original dials. I have never heard of this, have you?

Non-step dials are actually so-called “Texas” or “Mayer” dials, made by a Dallas-based watch dealer named DeMesy. Singer has absolutely nothing to do with the production of fake dials as far as I know and it is simply inexplicable how Antiquorum could come up with this nonsense.

Update July 18, 2018: According to feedback I received, the Millerighe screw-down pushers of this watch could be fake as well.

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Thoughts

The story that Singer produced these dials in the 1990s is truly comical. It is beyond my understanding how an auction house can feel comfortable in their own skin with proliferating counterfeits. Fake parts should be destroyed, without exception.

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July 17, 2018: Rare Watches – Fine Jewels – Modern Art

LOT 307A – ROLEX DAYTONA STEEL

Reference: 6239
Dial: Floating (service)
Case number: 1475654

Auction Link: LOT 307A – Rolex Daytona Steel

The next Daytona is equipped with waht appears to be a black service dial but more interesting is the fact that it comes with a second dial, a fake non-step Paul Newman dial. Again, it is inexplicable why a serious auction house would try to keep fake parts in the market.

“The present lot is in very good condition. With a black “SWISS” service dial and 3 registers. For information we add to this watch a rolex daytona “non-step” dial.”

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Here is a picture of the fake dial. The graphics are wrong and the minute track has no step.

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It is interesting to note that the movement is described as Cal. 72B but the image shows the Cal. 727 of LOT 348A.
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Thoughts

It is difficult to understand why a serious auction house whould try to keep fake dials in circulation.

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July 19, 2018: Auction Porsche 911 & Rolex Daytona

LOT 1 – ROLEX DAYTONA 6239 “HOUDINI”

Reference: 6239
Dial: Black RC
Case number: 1052336

Auction Link: LOT 1 – Rolex Daytona 6239 “Houdini”

This lot is interesting to me as I don’t understand why this particular Daytona is called Houdini? I reckon a Houdini is a Daytona with the T SWISS T denomination printed at the outer edge of the dial. As a consequence, the T SWISS T is covered by the bezel thus not visible. Perhaps Antiquorum refers to some of the lume plots that are about to Houdini…

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Thoughts

Life is short and there is so much to learn.

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July 19, 2018: Auction Porsche 911 & Rolex Daytona

LOT 6 – ROLEX DAYTONA 6264 “PAUL NEWMAN”

Reference: 6264
Dial: Black RC
Case number: 2372838

Auction Link: LOT 6 – Rolex Daytona 6264 “Paul Newman”

With case number 2372838, this Daytona 6264 belongs to the very first stainless steel batch of Ref. 6264 made in 1971. The present watch features a highly sought-after black 3-colour Rolex Cosmograph Paul Newman dial. The problem with this dial is it does not belong in a 6264 as it is an earlier dial from the very first Paul Newman batch. Antiquorum describes the dial as if it was a sought-after feature in a 6264:

“This authentic Paul Newman SWISS T SWISS (Sing a song) is usually found on references 6239 and 6241.”

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Early Paul Newman dial with distictive “Sing-a-Song” T SWISS T denomination from the first Paul Newman dial batch.

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The follwing comparison shows the different T SWISS T prints on black 3-colour Paul Newman dials over the course of time.

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Thoughts

It would be interesting to see how this watch looked before a Paul Newman dial was installed. Perhaps, with the necessary effort, this watch could be restored to original condition.

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July 19, 2018: Auction Porsche 911 & Rolex Daytona

LOT 14 – ROLEX 6263 SMALL RED DAYTONA FLOATING STEEL

Reference: 6263
Dial: Service dial
Case number: 5503766

Auction Link: LOT 14 – Rolex 6263 Small Red Daytona Floating Steel

This watch is advertised as having a “Floating” dial but in reality, it appears to have a service dial.

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Thoughts

This dial is most certainly a service dial and should be declared as such.

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July 19, 2018: Auction Porsche 911 & Rolex Daytona

LOT 20 – ROLEX 6240 “PAUL NEWMAN” THIS IS THE FIRST OYSTER

Reference: 6240
Dial: Paul Newman (6262/6264)
Case number: 1658506

Auction Link: LOT 20 – Rolex 6240 “Paul Newman” this is the first Oyster

As mentioned above, Ref. 6240 was the first Daytona to incorporate screw-down pushers. This 6240 comes with an at first glimpse attractive Paul Newman dial and sought-after “Millerighe” screw-down pushers. However, this Paul Newman dial does not belong to this watch. It is a later Paul Newman dial made for Ref. 6262/6264.

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Later dials are quite easy to detect by looking at the distinct T SWISS T print at 6 o’clock. Early dials have a letter design that is referred to as “Pyramid” while later dials have a flat print.

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Thoughts

This last case shows how simple it was back in the day to get a premium for a “regular” Daytona by just swapping the original dial for a sought-after Paul Newman dial. Scholarship has come a long way since then and cases like this are easy to spot.

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Oh! One more thing. There is also this Submariner Ref. 5510 for sale.

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July 17, 2018: Rare Watches – Fine Jewels – Modern Art

LOT 248 – ROLEX REF. 5510 – RE-PRINTED EXPLORER DIAL

Reference: 5510
Dial: Fake Explorer
Case number: 362187

Auction Link: LOT 248 – Rolex Ref. 5510 – Re-printed Explorer dial

This Submariner Ref. 5510 has a re-printed dial according to Antiquorum. Well, actually it is just a fake dial that can be bought on the web. What they don’t mention is that this watch also has an obviously fake 8mm Big Crown and a weird bezel insert that simply doesn’t belong to this reference.

My feeling is that this is a completely fake Submariner that perhaps houses an original Cal. 1530 movement. Antiquorum did not provide pictures of the movement or caseback.

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There seem to be many more of these strange watches for sale. Beware!

 

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