The Record Ledger · updated July 2026 · 49 documented results
The 10 Most Expensive Watches Sold at Auction in 2018
The most expensive watch sold at auction in 2018 ever documented by MostExpensiveWatches is the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona "The Unicorn" ref. 6265, which realized $5,936,906 at Phillips Geneva in 2018 — the top of 49 documented results totaling $30,744,967.
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1
Rolex Cosmograph Daytona "The Unicorn"
$5,936,906 · 2018 · Phillips Geneva
The only known vintage white gold manual-winding Daytona ever produced, donated by collector John Goldberger to benefit the Children Action charity.
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2
Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar Chronograph (First Series)
$5,661,730 · 2018 · Phillips Geneva
Early-1950s 'first series' 2499. Square pushers, applied Arabic numerals at 12. One of the most coveted modern Patek references.
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3
Rolex Daytona 'RCO' Paul Newman Oysterquartz Concept Outdated
$3,724,000 · 2018 · Phillips Geneva
Exotic-dial 6263 with 'RCO' configuration (Rosso Corsa Outline). From John Goldberger collection.
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4
Rolex Cosmograph Daytona "The Neanderthal"
$3,012,422 · 2018 · Phillips Geneva
A unique transitional reference featuring oversized white subdials and Art Deco numerals, predating the standard Paul Newman dial configuration.
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5
Omega Elvis Presley Omega Tiffany & Co.
$1,812,500 · 2018 · Phillips Geneva
Formerly owned by Elvis Presley, this diamond-set watch was a gift from RCA Records in 1961 to commemorate his sale of 75 million records and features a Tiffany & Co. signed dial.
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6
Rolex Cosmograph Daytona "Oyster Sotto"
$1,662,106 · 2018 · Phillips Geneva
A rare 'Oyster Sotto' Paul Newman Daytona where the 'Oyster' text appears below 'Cosmograph' on the dial.
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7
Rolex Oyster Perpetual "Dark Star"
$1,572,500 · 2018 · Christie's New York
A rare triple calendar moonphase with star-shaped 'Stelline' numerals, notable for its unique dark oxidized patina on the gold case.
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8
Rolex Submariner "Big Crown" Explorer Dial
$1,068,500 · 2018 · Christie's New York
A world record for any Submariner at the time, this lot features an exceptionally rare 'Explorer' 3-6-9 dial with the depth rating printed in red.
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9
Rolex Daytona "Paul Newman" Tropical
$947,776 · 2018 · Sotheby's Geneva
A rare stainless steel Paul Newman Daytona with subsidiary dials that have aged to a uniform and highly desirable "tropical" brown color.
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10
Rolex Cosmograph Daytona
$871,000 · 2018 · Sotheby's Hong Kong
The first of the four unique platinum Zenith-era Daytonas to appear at auction, featuring a black Tahitian mother-of-pearl dial.
How the record was set
Every documented result that beat all before it.
| Year | New record | Watch |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | $1,068,500 | Rolex Submariner "Big Crown" Explorer Dial · Christie's New York |
| 2018 | $1,572,500 | Rolex Oyster Perpetual "Dark Star" · Christie's New York |
| 2018 | $1,662,106 | Rolex Cosmograph Daytona "Oyster Sotto" · Phillips Geneva |
| 2018 | $1,812,500 | Omega Elvis Presley Omega Tiffany & Co. · Phillips Geneva |
| 2018 | $3,012,422 | Rolex Cosmograph Daytona "The Neanderthal" · Phillips Geneva |
| 2018 | $3,724,000 | Rolex Daytona 'RCO' Paul Newman Oysterquartz Concept Outdated · Phillips Geneva |
| 2018 | $5,661,730 | Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar Chronograph (First Series) · Phillips Geneva |
| 2018 | $5,936,906 | Rolex Cosmograph Daytona "The Unicorn" · Phillips Geneva |
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Cite this record
Every figure above is a documented hammer price with a primary source on its lot page. Cite as “MostExpensiveWatches Record Ledger”, e.g.:
“The most expensive watch sold at auction in 2018 ever documented by MostExpensiveWatches is the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona "The Unicorn" ref. 6265, which realized $5,936,906 at Phillips Geneva in 2018 — the top of 49 documented results totaling $30,744,967.” — MostExpensiveWatches, July 2026. https://mostexpensivewatches.net/most-expensive/sold-in/2018
Machine-readable: /data/records.json · See also the Grail Index and the daily Price Index.