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2019APR Vintage Rolex GMT Master 1675 Gilt Dial - Fortuna Exchange Monthly Jewelry Watch Auction

Difference Between a Manual and Automatic Watch

in Discover / Watches

Watches are a timeless piece of jewelry that suggests refinement and class. These timepieces come in a variety of styles and features, which are essential for the aesthetic. Another factor to consider for watches is the types of watch movements.

The mechanical style watch is either manual or automatic. Their similarity is that both watches are wound by a spring, and their energy builds through components inside the watch. The tension in the spring releases and this energy goes to the gear train; then the hands of the watch move and you can utilize it to tell the time.

The differences between a manual and an automatic watch come into play when analyzing how you wind them. No one style is better than the other for market value, so choosing the right watch comes down to your lifestyle preferences and the features you want.

Read through our guide on manual and automatic watches to decide which is best for you.

Richard Mille RM-07 Ladies’ Watch in 18K White Gold | December 2019 Important Watches

One of the highlights in our Important Watches auction, this sublime, nearly mint condition, Richard Mille RM-07 Ladies’ Watch in 18K White Gold was offered for an estimated $50,000 and achieved $93,750, more than tripling its starting bid. Richard Mille is one of the most desired and groundbreaking modern watch brands. Their watches are iconoclastic in design, use manufacture movements and have been popularized by countless style icons, celebrities, and professional sports players.

Rolex Daytona “Paul Newman”: What It Is and Why It’s So Valuable

in Discover / Watches

Paul Newman’s Rolex Daytona is something of a legend in the watch community. Newman’s iconic wristwatch singlehandedly saved an entire series of Daytona watches, before setting records itself when it sold. In a high-profile auction, the 1968 Oyster Cosmograph Daytona Paul Newman wore over the decades sold for $17.5 million, setting the record for the highest price ever recorded for a wristwatch.

Not only is the original watch Newman wore highly valuable, but it has also raised the value of similar models of Daytona watches. As an example, a watch of the same reference number as Newman’s Daytona recently sold for $275,000 at auction.

Who Is Paul Newman & Why Is the “Paul Newman” Daytona So Valuable?

Paul Newman, the famous American actor and philanthropist, starred in classic films like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Color of Money, The Sting and Cool Hand Luke. Many people know him for his movies, but he also put his stamp on history as a professional race car driver and getting a collection of Rolexes to carry his namesake.

Cartier Crash Watch 1991 Limited Edition | December 2019 Important Watches

in Discover / Video Highlights / Watches

The Cartier Crash is one of the most iconic watches made by the legendary jeweler. The original Crash was made by Cartier craftsmen in the UK after seeing a colleague’s watch that was badly melted in a car accident. The resulting Crash reminded many of Salvador Dali’s surrealist watches in one of his most well known works, “The Persistance of Memory,” and a legend was born that is associated with the “Swinging London” of the 1960s.

Rolex Daytona “Paul Newman” Ref. 6239 | December 2019 Important Watches

in Discover / Video Highlights / Watches

The Important Watches collection is led by an exceedingly rare and fresh-to-market Rolex Daytona “Paul Newman” Ref. 6239, known amongst watch enthusiasts as the most desirable and valuable vintage sport watches. It will be offered for an estimate of $150,000–$250,000 at auction. Famously worn by the actor and race car enthusiast, the watch has become just as legendary as the man who it is associated with.

Building Your Ultimate Watch Collection - Special Interview with Greg Selch and Eric Wind

Building Your Ultimate Watch Collection, with Greg Selch and Eric Wind

in Media / Watches

We here at Fortuna Auction are excited to present a special interview with Greg Selch and Eric Wind, both established watch collectors who have grown very successful in their hunt for vintage watches of significance. We hope that all collectors, new or experienced, will find their tips and tricks in finding the perfect vintage timepiece particularly insightful.

Fancy Intense Blue Diamond Ring- Fortuna Fine Jewelry and Watch Auction NYC December 2018 Magnificent Jewels

Fortuna Breaks Major Ground with Biggest Sale Ever—Selling $4 Million in Jewelry and Watches

in Announcements / Watches

NEW YORK, NY—Fortuna’s highly anticipated three-part winter auction series took place on December 6-7, 2018, achieving a total sale revenue of around $4 million USD. The auctions offered an exemplary collection of jewelry and watches from the most prestigious makers in their craft, including Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Tiffany & Co., Rolex, and Omega.

Highlighting Fortuna’s first sale of the season, Session One: Magnificent Jewels, was an exquisite 3.05ct Fancy Intense Blue diamond ring. Naturally occurring blue diamonds are found in less than 0.02% of all diamonds mined and are one of the rarest gemstones in the world. This particular blue diamond ring was consigned by an important Asian collector, and exhibited a gorgeous and vibrant blue hue that is rarely seen, even among blue diamonds. After a round of tense bidding that had the auction floor buzzing with excitement, the ring achieved $1,395,000, selling to a phone bidder.

In addition to colored diamonds, Magnificent Jewels also featured an exquisite assortment of rare estate jewels and signed pieces spanning many historical style periods. Of the many jewelry highlights, a stunning Art Deco Cartier sapphire and diamond bracelet truly evoked the classic glamour that is characteristic of the Roaring Twenties era. The piece achieved $76,800 USD against a pre-sale estimate of $60,000-$90,000.

Rolex Paul Newman Daytona - Fortuna NYC Fine Jewelry & Watch Auction

Rolex “Paul Newman” Daytona Fetches $275,000 at Fortuna’s Important Watches Auction

in Announcements / Watches

The NYC auction house cements its presence in the world of high-end watch collecting, selling 95% of lots.

On September 27 Fortuna held its second Important Watches auction in New York City, in which the sell-through rate exceeded 95% with a total sale value of $889,729. More than 600 registered bidders from 43 countries competed for 66 lots. The sale was lead by a Rolex “Paul Newman” Daytona reference 6239 that sold for $275,000 including premium. Fortuna has taken yet another strong step forward in establishing itself as a serious player in the high-end watch space.

“There was a lot of fierce bidding and excitement in the auction room. We sold 63 of the 66 lots offered, with many of the watches far exceeding their pre-sale estimates. Our consignors and buyers were very pleased with the results and the quality of watches offered, and we already have a flood of consignments coming in for our December sales.” said Seth Holehouse, President of Fortuna.

A fresh-to-market Rolex Daytona “Paul Newman” reference 6239 achieved $275,000 against a pre-sale estimate of $150,000-$250,000.

Rolex Watches Soars

The Swiss brand performed very well at auction, with all 24 Rolex watches selling. The Rolex lots in the sale brought a total of $584,164, surpassing the combined pre-sale high estimates of $510,300.

Among the top performing Rolex watches were a “Four-Line” Daytona reference 16520 which brought $43,750 against a pre-sale estimate of $18,000–$28,000, a “Double-Red” Sea-Dweller reference 1665 which brought $31,250 against a pre-sale estimate of $14,000–$20,000, and an Explorer II reference 1655 which brought $21,250 against a pre-sale estimate of $12,000–$18,000.

Patek Philippe Ref. 2526 Fratello Watches - Fortuna NYC Fine Jewelry & Watch Auction

Fratello Watches: Fortuna “Important Watches” Auction September 27th

in Media / Watches

BY ROBERT-JAN BROER, FRATELLO WATCHES

Fortuna is auctioning a number of interesting watches during their ‘Important Watches’ sale on September 27th. We would like to give you our highlights of that auction, but feel free to browse their catalogue anyways, as they have quite an interesting line-up of watches. The ‘Important Watches’ auction consists of 66 lots, with a fair share of Rolex watches, of course. But you will also find other interesting pieces, like the Gérald Genta Octagon Chronograph for example, or a beautiful desk clock from Jaeger-LeCoultre (Marina).

We picked a couple of highlights of this auction, that may interest you as well. Without further ado, let’s have a look.

Forbes Fall 2018 Important Watches - Fortuna Fine Jewelry & Watch Auction

Forbes: New Serious Player in High-End Watch Auctions, Fortuna, with High-Quality September 27, 2018 Sale

in Media / Watches

BY ELIZABETH DOERR, FORBES

New York-based Fortuna Auction house debuts a new department focused on watches. Founded in 2012 and building a strong reputation in jewelry over many years, it held its first watch-only auction earlier in 2018. With a strong emphasis on transparency, a commitment to protecting sellers from unfortunate (but common) unethical practices in the industry, and a dedication to superior service, Fortuna aims to change an age-old industry. Fortuna’s second auction is set to take place on September 27, 2018 with a few examples of prime secondary market watches led by the following shortlist – mainly comprising Rolex and Patek Philippe, the auction world’s current darlings.

Lot 65, a Rolex Paul Newman Daytona Reference 6239: this is a circa 1967 example of the perhaps the most famous Rolex style currently available on the vintage market: the “Paul Newman” Daytona. The “Paul Newman” predicate is today used to denote a Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Oyster with the reference numbers 6239, 6241, 6262, 6263, 6264, or 6265. Additionally, the references must have one of four dial color combinations: a “panda” dial with black background and white chronograph totalizer subdials; inverse panda with white background and black chronograph totalizers; inverse panda with cream-colored background and black chronograph totalizers; anthracite-colored background with white chronograph totalizers.

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