Rolex ‘Big Red’ Daytona Leads Heritage’s Watches & Fine Timepieces Auction Above $2.5 Million

Rolex Oyster DeepSea and Audemars Piquet Royal Oak also among event’s top results DOWNLOAD DIGITAL PRESS KIT DALLAS, Texas (April 27, 2026) — A magnificent Rolex, Very Fine “Big Red” Oyster Cosmograph Daytona, Ref. 6265/6263. circa 1979 drew 21 bids on its way to $65,625 to lead Heritage’s April 24 Watches & Fine Timepieces Signature® Auction to $2,512,763. The auction reflected sustained global demand for collectible timepieces, with standout results across vintage Rolex, Patek Philippe and other prestigious Swiss watches. The Rolex “Big Red” Oyster Cosmograph Daytona is distinguished by its bold red “DAYTONA” text arcing above the subdial. This coveted variation remains one of the most recognizable vintage Rolex Daytona configurations among collectors. “Collectors continue to pursue the ‘Big Red’ Daytona because it represents a defining era in Rolex chronograph design,” says Jim Wolf, Heritage’s Director of Watches and Fine Timepieces. “The oversized red ‘DAYTONA’ signature is instantly recognizable and highly desirable, and examples like this, with original components and honest aging, speak directly to the authenticity prized by the most serious of collectors.” Another standout result came from a Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date DeepSea Full Set, Ref. 136668LB, which realized $60,000. Introduced at Watches & Wonders in 2024, this reference marks the first 18k gold professional model in the DeepSea line. It maintains the extreme technical capabilities of the line while introducing a level of opulence previously reserved for the Submariner or Yacht-Master, combining a remarkable 3,900-meter depth rating with the striking contrast of a yellow gold case and vivid blue dial and ceramic bezel. An Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Klein Blue Dial Full Set, with its steel case and octagonal bezel, also achieved $60,000, underscoring continued demand for iconic luxury sports watches. That result just edged an elegant Patek Philippe, Very Fine Ref. 3940, 18k Gold Perpetual Calendar With Moon Phase that brought a winning bid of $58,750. One of the most significant perpetual calendars in Patek Philippe’s recent history, the Ref. 3940 remains one of the most celebrated perpetual calendar wristwatches produced by Patek Philippe, valued for its balanced design and technical sophistication. The fact that Philippe Stern, the former head of the company, wore this style only adds to the allure. Collectors showed strong interest in additional Patek Philippe complications, including a Ref. 5040P-013 Platinum Tonneau Automatic Perpetual Calendar With Moon Phase, which realized $43,750. Its distinctive tonneau-shaped case and refined complications highlight the brand’s enduring influence in high horology. A trio of significant lots reached $40,000, including a Rolex Sky-Dweller Yellow Gold Full Set, Ref. 326938, prized for its dual time and annual calendar functionality; an A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1, Platinum, Ref. 191.025, celebrated for its asymmetrical dial layout and precision German engineering; and an L. Leroy Osmior Tourbillon 18K Rose Gold Automatic Regulator Wristwatch No. 1793 Ref. LL106. The latter features a rare chronometer-certified automatic tourbillon movement and carries the prestigious Besançon “Viper’s Head” certification, a mark of exceptional precision. Also achieving $40,000 was a Rolex Daytona Chocolate Dial Full Set, Ref. 116505, demonstrating continued enthusiasm for modern Rolex Daytona models alongside vintage examples. Other top results included, but were not limited to:   • $39,687: A Vacheron Constantin Dual Time 18k Full Set, Ref. 7920V   • $37,500: A Patek Philippe, Rare 18k Pink Gold Ref. 3969R “Jump Hour” 150th Anniversary Edition   • $37,500: A Rolex Cosmograph Daytona OysterFlex Full Set, Ref. 116515LN   • $36,250: A Rolex GMT Master II Full Set, Ref. 126718GRNR   • $36,250: A Rolex, Exceptional Ref. 1675 Gold “Root Beer” GMT-Master, circa 1972 Complete results 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