A rare Rolex Reference 4113 has set a new world record at a FutureGrail auction in Dubai, highlighting the strong demand for collectible watches in the region and globally.
Record sale
FutureGrail said the watch sold for US$4,717,000 after a busy preview event at the Bvlgari Yacht Club. The price makes it the ninth-most-expensive Rolex ever sold and exceeds the previous record for the same reference by more than US$1.2 million.
Ali Nael, CEO of FutureGrail, said, “This sale is one of the most significant in auction history, breaking a world-record and underlining the demand from luxury watch collectors across the globe. It is a privilege to bring such a rare item to the market, demonstrating that from Geneva to Dubai to Singapore, watches of this calibre command incredible interest. We may not see a Rolex Reference 4113 of this quality come to market for a long time.”
Rare Rolex model
Only 12 Rolex Reference 4113 watches were produced in the 1940s, and only nine are known to still exist. It is the only vintage split-seconds chronograph ever made by Rolex and is closely linked to motor racing history, with several pieces previously owned by drivers and team figures.
FutureGrail, headquartered in Singapore, plans to expand its physical operations to the UAE in 2026 to meet rising demand in the Middle East watch market.
Arnaud Tellier, Head of Curation and former Director of the Patek Philippe museum, said, “From individual collectors purchasing for pleasure to investors diversifying their portfolios outside of traditional stocks and real estate assets, there is huge demand in the luxury watch market. Shrewd collectors optimise value and potential liquidity of purchases by finding rare items in the best possible condition.”
tanvir@dubainewsweek.com
