Phillips Celebrates Ten Years With Rolex Watches Of Power And Prestige
4 min read
This November in Geneva, Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo marks a milestone moment as it celebrates ten years of shaping the world of watch auctions. To commemorate the occassion, the auction house is hosting Decade One (2015–2025), a landmark thematic sale that reflects on the remarkable journey of Phillips Watches over the past decade. Set to take place on 8–9 November 2025 at the Hôtel Président in Geneva, the sale promises not just exceptional watches, but stories of legacy, influence, and the enduring power of provenance.
Since its first auction in 2015, Phillips Watches has become the stage where history and horology meet. The department, led by Aurel Bacs and Alexandre Ghotbi, has redefined the art of watch collecting where it achieved record-breaking results, advancing scholarship, and inspiring a new generation of collectors who appreciate that a great watch often carries an even greater story. And that’s precisely what Decade One celebrates. Its curatorial theme Rolex, Provenance, and Power shines a spotlight on watches once owned by leaders, royals, and statesmen. Because in collecting, history is personal; it can be worn on the wrist. These are not just mechanical masterpieces they are tokens of power, diplomacy, and prestige.
Throughout the 20th century, Rolex watches became synonymous with leadership. They were gifted by monarchs, worn by presidents, and commissioned by sultans symbols of success that transcended borders. It’s a legacy that echoes the brand’s famous slogan: “Men Who Guide the Destinies of the World Wear Rolex Watches.” The watches featured in Decade One tell that story vividly, linking horological excellence with human achievement.
Among the standout pieces is Lot 32 – the Rolex Day-Date Ref. 18059 ‘Rainbow’ with Red Khanjar, commissioned by Sultan Qaboos bin Said of Oman circa 1985. Estimated between CHF 700,000 -1,400,000, this is a watch that bridges eras of design and diplomacy. Likely unique, it features one of the earliest “Rainbow” bezels ever created by Rolex, a precursor to the gem-set Daytonas and Day-Dates that collectors chase today. The red Khanjar emblem of the Sultanate of Oman on the caseback marks it as a royal commission, and with a diamond-set Jubilee bracelet, it stands apart even among the rarest Khanjar models. Only three Khanjar Rainbow Day-Dates are known to exist, and this is the only example with both the red Khanjar and a diamond bracelet — a once-in-a-generation discovery that perfectly embodies Rolex’s blend of technical and symbolic brilliance.
Another headline piece, Lot 123 – the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Ref. 6269 ‘Red Khanjar’, also ordered by Sultan Qaboos, dates to around 1986 and carries an estimate of CHF 500,000 – 1,000,000. Produced in no more than thirty examples, the Ref. 6269 is among the most opulent Daytonas ever made, distinguished by its diamond bezel, pavé dial, and sapphire hour markers. The red Khanjar engraved on its caseback links it directly to one of Rolex’s most significant patrons. Only a handful of such Daytonas exist with the Omani emblem, and this is one of just two known with the red variation a trophy watch that sits at the intersection of rarity, gem-setting artistry, and provenance.
History takes a more understated yet profoundly significant turn with Lot 191 – the Rolex Day-Date Ref. 6511, circa 1956, previously owned by Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser. Estimated between CHF 25,000 – 50,000, this pink gold Day-Date carries an Arabic dedication on the caseback from Sheikh Fahd Al Salem Al Sabah of Kuwait to Nasser, underscoring the diplomatic significance watches once held. Nasser wore the piece for years before gifting it in the late 1960s to Salah Dessouki, an Olympic fencer and politician. The watch has remained in the Dessouki family ever since — a tangible connection between political history and personal legacy.
Beyond its extraordinary lots, Decade One is also a celebration of Phillips’ own evolution. Over the past decade, Phillips Watches has achieved several world records, including the CHF 17.7 million sale of Paul Newman’s Rolex “Paul Newman” Daytona Ref. 6239 in 2017 which is still the highest result ever for a vintage wristwatch and the CHF 11 million sale of a Patek Philippe Ref. 1518 in stainless steel in 2016. In 2024 alone, Phillips Watches achieved over $212 million in total sales, marking the fourth consecutive year its annual results surpassed the $200 million mark an unprecedented achievement in the auction world.
Ahead of the Geneva sale, Decade One will embark on a global highlights tour, offering collectors and enthusiasts a rare opportunity to see these historic watches in person. The tour includes stops in London (23–25 September), Dubai (26–28 September), Riyadh (7–8 October), Singapore (10–11 October), New York (15–17 October), and Hong Kong (23–25 October) before culminating in Geneva from 5–9 November.
Each city will host an exclusive preview of the highlights, offering a glimpse into the lives, eras, and leaderships that shaped these watches. As Phillips steps into its second decade, Decade One stands as both a retrospective and a statement, a reminder that in watch collecting, beauty lies not just in craftsmanship but in the stories timepieces carry. After all, a Rolex may tell the time, but sometimes, it also tells history.
