Bidding Open: Top Lots Monaco Legend Auctions in October – Part 2
- Oliver Knop
- 17. Okt. 2025
- 7 Min. Lesezeit
After many Patek Philippes in the first part, this piece will focus on Rolex and Cartier, the other two Brands with a strong presence in the catalogue of Monaco Legend Groups' fall auction. There are again some remarkable examples to talk about.
To me, ‚Pre-Daytona‘ sounds a bit as if there had been no interesting Rolex Chronographs before the Daytona. Lot 175 and 183 prove the opposite. 183 is an early ‘Rolex Oyster’ Chronograph from 1938 with screw down case back and crown. The unusual dial does not have tachymeter or telemeter scales, so that it looks very clear and generous. The graphics are negatively printed behind the galvanically produced black surface. This particular dial has a glossy finish. The watch was restored in the Rolex Vintage Ateliers where a lot of the original radium was saved and the dial is maintaining an even sheen.
Lot 175 is a super rare model 3835 in Art Deco design, documenting the broad range of models back then. The watch has a rose gold case kept in wonderful condition. The matching salmon dial looks flawless. It comes with its original box.
Most often people refer to model 6238 when they use the nickname ‘Pre-Daytona’. This model has the same movement and case as the first Daytona reference 6239. Only the bezel and the dial are different. It was produced from 1962 to 1967, thus in parallel to the first Daytonas that were introduced in 1963. Lot 84 is a Pre-Daytona with a black galvanic dial like the ‘Rolex Oyster’ chronograph described before. Only, black dials are much rarer for the Pre-Daytona and this particular one has a glossy finish while matt black is the standard. The mark one graphics of the modernized Singer dials match the case number between 1 and 1.1 m perfectly.
The early Daytona Ref. 6239 in Lot 193 has a lower serial number than the ‘Prince of Darkness’ 6238 from lot 84 described before. This example does not have Daytona printed on its dial yet. Instead, there is a small bar under the ‘Cosmograph’. It is called ‘Underline’ by collectors and it signals that tritium was used for the luminous dots instead of radium although the dial is still just signed ‘Swiss’. These dials are called ‘Double Swiss Underline’ because a second ‘Swiss’ is printed under the case rim for unknown reasons. Such early examples of ref. 6239 are very sought after when they keep their original elements like the dial, the ’275 intermediate’ bezel and the narrow baton hands as here. The watch seems to be in a very attractive condition.
This true for lot 229 too that caries the 6240 reference number without a case number. An amazing prototype of the first Daytona with screw down pusher that, produced in 1964 combines many elements that only became standard much later. To top it off, a seldom seen ‘Mini Floating’ Daytona is printed below the ‘Cosmograph’.
Of course there are not just old timers in the sale. Lot 208 and 78 are two interesting watches with ‘Asprey’ co-signed dials of the current range. One is a Daytona in yellow gold with a striking ‘electric blue’ sunburst dial and lot 78 one is an even more extravagant steel Submariner with lapis lazuli dial and matching sapphire and diamond bezel. Dials with Asprey on them are valuable for the historic relation between Rolex and the high street vendor that has churned out many important watches for Middle East customers. Fans of Daytonas with precious stone settings will be happy with the catalogue. Lot 239 ‘Rainbow’ Daytona is just one of several strongly jeweled Rolexes in the sale.
There are also some very interesting Vintage GMT-Masters in the sale. Lot 226 is an early example of the original reference 6542. It’s key attribute is the ‘Bakelite’ bezel that was often changed during service and quickly discontinued in production because it contained a lot of radium and because it cracked easily. The bezel here is still original and in an attractive condition. The silver graphics of the black Galvano dial and are a match with the original silver hands. The red print of the model’s name is rare and sought after.
Lots 161 and 63 are yellow gold variants of the successor model 1675. The case of these two examples has no crown guards but its crown is already smaller than that of the initial ref. 6542. Only produced in a small number during the mid sixties the watches in the sale further stand out by their glossy brown dials. Lot 163 is presented with it’s original ‘alpha’ hands
As so often at auction, Rolex is most strongly represented in the catalogue of MLG too. That makes it difficult to select the pieces to talk about because there are so many. Lose 54 und 186 cannot be missed though. They are too very rare and beautiful golden chronographs with calendar ref. 6036 from the 1950’s. Lot 54 is the still more valuable of the two, as it is sporting a wonderfully preserved rose gold case, by far the rarest variant. Production of golden cases ceased with the introduction of the successor model 6236 after 1955. The important watch in Lot 54 is additionally signed ‘Vertico Y Laino’ on the dial and comes with its original box.
Cartier is on a roll and some of its models like The Crash have achieved outstanding results at auction lately. There are some very interesting Cartier watches in the MLG sale too. Lots 1, 204 and 205 will certainly please the vintage enthusiasts.
Lot 1 is a very pretty ‘jumbo’ Tank from the 1970’s with automatic winding. The auto rotor lends the otherwise flat case a cute behind. It comes with a well-documented history. Lot 204 is a yellow gold Tank Cintrée by Cartier London from the 1950’s. Its generous case design makes it still wearable today. A similar case was used for the Jaeger Le Coultre in lot 90, a very interesting vintage dual time zone watch. Lot 205 is another vintage Cartier in an avantgarde design that is so typical for the maker.
The Santos is undoubtedly the most important Cartier model. Its design has been nurtured and optimized over the decades and the current design is a big success too. Lot 166 was produced in 2010 already, yet its size even excels that of the current ‘Extra Large’ variant. This Cartier Santos 100 is most likely a unique piece as its dial graphics are blue instead of black, possibly on customer request. Ideal for the poser with substance!
All important Swiss makers have tried over time to resurrect past days of glory with remakes of historic models or design elements. Sometimes it is like badly covered oldies that make you wish the original back. Not in the case of lot 25. It is a very desirable Cartier ‘Mono Pousseur’ chronograph in a ‘Coussin Tortue’ case that gave the model its name. Offered as part of the ‘Privée’ collection, the platin bracelet watch is a fantastic translation of the early Cartier chronographs into contemporary design language. Both watches are likely unique pieces and come with documentation. The chronograph additionally preserved its original packaging.
To have what others cannot have is part of the psychology behind the popularity of unique, one-of-a-kind pieces. Lot 92-93 are Cartiers that were produced in 2024 on special request, in yellow gold cases with burgundy dials. Their rarity translates into taxations that exceed similar examples in standard configurations sharply. Lots 124 and 247 don’t need to shy a comparison of their beauty with the unique pieces. Bidders need to be clear of their motives and act accordingly if it is worth it!
Apart from the covered lots, there are many more desirable pieces in the auction. For example, there are two important early Day-Dates in platinum in unique configurations (lot 67, 196). In addition to the described Pateks, there is a wonderful chronograph in a watertight rose gold case (lot 212). Other brands too are represented with some beautiful chronographs, like the Breitling ‘Navitimer Cosmonaute’ in lot 120 or the golden Longines in lot 116. So, I had to make choices and I hope you enjoyed them!
Now, I need to pack up, since I booked the early flight to Cote D’Azur Airport tomorrow!
