Why This Seemingly Humble Rolex Sold for Half a Million
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A modified Rolex Datejust recently sold for $520,000 at auction, far exceeding its pre-sale estimate. The watch was altered by renowned master watchmaker George Daniels, known for his revolutionary co-axial escapement technology. This sale highlights the current demand for historically significant timepieces in the watch market.
- ▪The Rolex Datejust ref. 16220 sold for $520,000 at FutureGrail's May auction.
- ▪George Daniels, a legendary watchmaker, modified the watch, making it unique.
- ▪The co-axial escapement invented by Daniels improved mechanical watch performance and longevity.
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| Original publisher | GQ |
| Canonical URL | https://www.gq.com/story/rolex-datejust-george-daniels-auction |
| Publication time | Tue, 26 May 2026 19:53:20 +0000 |
| Retrieval time | 2026-05-26T20:07:54.130Z |
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WatchesWhy This Seemingly Humble Rolex Sold for Half a MillionMaster watchmaker George Daniels modified this Datejust.By Oren HartovMay 26, 2026Photos courtesy FutureGrailSave StorySave this storySave StorySave this storyIf you were going to pay half a million bucks for a Rolex, chances are it wouldn’t be a Datejust.A “Paul Newman” Daytona? Sure. The rare “MilSub” variation of the Rolex Submariner with impeccable provenance? Absolutely. But a stainless-steel Rolex Datejust with a white dial and Jubilee bracelet? On paper, it sounds almost laughably ordinary.And yet a seemingly humble Rolex Datejust ref.
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