The 1940s Rolex Reference 4113, one of only nine known to exist, becomes the ninth most expensive Rolex ever sold at auction, signaling soaring demand in the luxury watch market.
DUBAI – A piece of horological history was shattered in Dubai when an exceptionally rare Rolex Reference 4113 chronograph sold for a staggering $4,717,000 at auction. The sale, conducted by luxury watch specialist FutureGrail, sets a new world record for the model and cements the timepiece’s status as the ninth-most-expensive Rolex ever sold.
The final price dramatically surpassed the previous auction record for a Reference 4113 by over $1.2 million, underscoring the intense competition for the finest examples of vintage watchmaking.
The record-breaking watch, produced in the 1940s, is a legend among collectors. With only twelve ever made and just nine known survivors, its rarity is unquestioned. It holds the unique distinction of being the only split-seconds chronograph ever produced by Rolex, a complex feature highly prized by enthusiasts. Its history is deeply intertwined with motor racing, having often been owned by drivers and team owners.
The pre-auction showcase, held at the Bvlgari Yacht Club in Dubai, drew significant interest from international collectors. The successful sale comes as FutureGrail, headquartered in Singapore, announces plans to expand its physical operations to the UAE in 2026 to cater to the high-demand Middle Eastern market.
Ali Nael, CEO of FutureGrail, stated, “This is one of the most significant sales in auction history. Breaking a world record underscores the global demand from luxury watch collectors. From Geneva to Dubai to Singapore, watches of this calibre command incredible interest.”
Echoing the sentiment on market trends, Arnaud Tellier, FutureGrail’s Head of Curation and a former Director of the Patek Philippe Museum, noted, “Shrewd collectors are increasingly diversifying into rare timepieces as tangible assets. The key to optimizing value is finding the rarest items in the best possible condition—a category this Rolex 4113 epitomizes.”
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