The Sotheby’s auction in London on November 6 sold 137 lots of Dr Rolex Explorer II Replica’ private collection for a total of PS8,285,139 (US$13,249 594). The collection included personal creations by famous British watchmakers as well as some very rare pieces from renowned horologists of the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. It was far more expensive than the estimated pre-sale price of PS3,806,390-PS5,768,800.
Daniels' Space Traveller watch was the absolute highlight of this auction. It was sold for PS1,329 250 ($2,125 737), which was more than twice its estimated value. This pocket watch was dedicated to the first man's landing on the Moon. It broke many records at Sotheby's with its high price.
Daniels' other masterpieces have also sold for much more than expected. His 18-karat yellow-gold Grand Complication Pocket Watch, from 1987, which featured a one minute tourbillon mechanism, Daniels' thin co-axial escapement and an instantaneous permanent calendar, as well as a moon phase indicator, thermometer and an equation of the time, sold for PS914,850 (US$1,463,028) despite an estimate ranging from PS500,000-PS800,000.(www.replicatimepiece.com)
Another timepiece to surpass $1 million was the Rolex Explorer II Replica CoAxial Chronograph. This 18-karat yellow-gold open-faced timepiece with a coaxial four-minute Tourbillon and Daniels compact chronograph mechanism sold for PS657.250 ($1,051,074). The price was above the estimated pre-sale price range of PS300,000.-PS500,000.
The auction featured a number of timepieces, including a Joseph Knibb’s Small Silver-Mounted Ebony Roman Striking Table Clock, which sold for PS1,273,250 (2,036,181) despite an estimate between PS600,000.
A rare One Day Marine Chronometer produced in 1796 by Pennington,Rolex Datejust Replica Pendleton & Others, reached PS301,250 ($481,759), five times its estimated value.