Record-Breaking Swim, Timeless Legacy: Rolex Honors History at Heritage Watches & Fine Timepieces Auction

Rare Submariner presented to Dutch swimmer Corrie Ebbelaar among elite timepieces offered April 24 DOWNLOAD DIGITAL PRESS KIT DALLAS, Texas (April 6, 2026) — In 1927, a Rolex Oyster watch was proven to be waterproof when England’s Mercedes Gleitze wore it while swimming across the English Channel, after which it remained in perfect working condition. The event helped fulfill founder Hans Wilsdorf’s dream of creating wristwatches that were not only elegant, but also functional and reliable. More than four decades later, Dutch swimmer and coach Corrie Ebbelaar set a record for the fastest cross-channel swim when she made it from England to France in 10 hours, 43 minutes — shattering Greta Anderson’s previous standard by nearly three hours. A Rolex Important Ref. 5513 Submariner Presentation Watch inscribed to Ebbelaar is a magnificent and unique trophy that will be among the top attractions in Heritage’s Watches & Fine Timepieces Signature® Auction April 24. The back is inscribed “Corrie Ebbelaar To Commemorate The Fastest Cross-Channel Swim In 1971, Rolex London, England - France 10 Hours 43 Minutes, 5-9-71.” The inclusion of “Rolex London” solidifies the direct link to the brand designating this watch for Ebbelaar after her unprecedented accomplishment. “Rolex is among the finest watchmakers in the world, often given to celebrate any number of accomplishments,” says Jim Wolf, Heritage’s Director of Watches and Fine Timepieces. “The fact that ‘Rolex London’ is included in the presentation engraving would imply that they were hands-on with this special-order watch.” Also in play is a Rolex, Very Fine “Big Red” Oyster Cosmograph Daytona, Ref. 6265/6263. circa 1979, with aging expected on a 47-year-old watch but no replacement parts. What sets this exceptional watch apart is the red “DAYTONA” lettering that arcs over the lowest subdial, in a larger typeface than often appears, a style coveted by serious Rolex collectors. A Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date DeepSea Full Set, Ref. 136668LB is a striking example for the reference, which is the first sold 18k gold professional watch in the DeepSea collection, debuting at Watches & Wonders in 2024. It maintains the extreme technical capabilities of the line while introducing a level of opulence previously reserved for the Submariner or Yacht-Master. Despite its luxury material, it maintains a professional depth rating of 3,900 meters (12,800 feet), while commanding attention through the bold contrast between the radiant yellow gold and the electric blue lacquer dial and ceramic bezel. A L. Leroy Osmior Tourbillon 18K Rose Gold Automatic Regulator Wristwatch No. 1793 Ref. LL106 is a high-horology timepiece featuring a rare chronometer-certified automatic tourbillon movement with a regulator-style dial. This specific reference, No. 1793, is recognized for its “Besançon Viper’s Head” certification — a prestigious mark of precision from the Besançon National Observatory. The Vacheron Constantin Dual Time 18k Full Set, Ref. 7920V is a 41mm luxury sports watch designed for travelers and features a second time zone, a day/night indicator and a pointer date. It is one of those rare pieces that combines beauty and pedigree with a certain nonchalance about the lifestyle of its wearer. Despite its luxury finishing, it remains a robust sports watch with 150-meter water resistance and significant anti-magnetic protection. A Chaumet Jump Hour, 18k Yellow Gold, Ref. 10A features an avant-garde design that was introduced in 1992. During the period in which it was created, Chaumet commissioned François Paul Journe to produce complicated timepieces for the brand; this exceptional watch was one of the models he had a hand in creating. Other top lots include, but are not limited to:   • A Rolex Daytona Chocolate Dial Full Set, Ref. 116505   • A Rolex, Exceptional Ref. 1675 Gold “Root Beer” GMT-Master, circa 1972   • An Audemars Piguet, Very Fine Gold Royal Oak Ref. 4100BA, circa 1980   • A Patek Philippe, Rare 18k Pink Gold Ref. 3969R “Jump Hour,” 150th Anniversary Edition   • An A. Lange & Söhne, Lange 1, Platinum, Ref. 191.025 “This is a very competitively curated auction,” Wolf says, “featuring lots of exceptional watches from some of the top watchmakers in the world, like Rolex, Patek Philippe, Audemars Piquet and Vacheron Constantin — all sold without reserve.” Images and information about all lots in the auction can be found at HA.com/5581. Heritage Auctions is the largest fine art and collectibles auction house founded in the United States, and the world's largest collectibles auctioneer. Heritage maintains offices in New York, Dallas, Beverly Hills, Chicago, Palm Beach, London, Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels, Hong Kong and Tokyo. Heritage also enjoys the highest Online traffic and dollar volume of any auction house on earth (source: SimilarWeb and Hiscox Report). The Internet's most popular auction-house website, HA.com, has more than 2 million registered bidder-members and searchable free archives of 7,000,000 past auction records with prices realized, descriptions and enlargeable photos. Reproduction rights routinely granted to media for photo credit. For breaking stories, follow us: HA.com/Facebook and HA.com/Twitter . Link to this release or view prior press releases . Hi-Res images available: Steve Lansdale, Public Relations Specialist 214-409-1699 or SteveL@HA.com