One-Of-A-Kind ‘Unicorn’ Rolex Daytona in White Gold Sold For $5.9m at Phillips

DAYTONA ULTIMATUM GENEVA AUCTION 12 MAY 2018

It’s sums like these that make the general public believe watch collectors are a few screws short of a full movement, but the good news is, the amount raised will go to charity.
The one-of-a-kind Rolex Daytona known as “The Unicorn” just sold at auction over the weekend for $5.9 million, making it the second-most expensive Rolex ever to go under the hammer. Phillips auctioneers in Geneva achieved almost twice the estimate of around $3 million.

As we know, a Rolex Daytona owned by Paul Newman sold last year for $17.8 million, making it the most expensive wristwatch ever sold. “The Unicorn”, made in 1970, was so named because it was the only vintage white gold Rolex Cosmograph Daytona ever produced. It was sold by famed watch collector John Goldberger, who donated the proceeds to the charity Children Action.

“We are thrilled with this historic result and philanthropic gesture and delighted by the lasting benefits the sale of this watch will provide to so many children,” said Aurel Bacs, of Bacs & Russo, which held the auction in conjunction with Phillips.