Paul Newman's Rolex Daytona was sold to an anonymous buyer after twelve minutes of vigorous bidding, which began with the auctioneer calling a $1 million starting bid which quickly jumped to $10 million. The hammer came down at £11.8 million (with commission £13.5 million.)
In the packed auction room, bidders from 43 different countries battled it out for the watches on offer. The 49-lot auction totalled nearly £22 million ($29 million.) Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin and Audemars Piguet timepieces all commanded high prices from excited bidders.
Notably, the Philippe Dufours Duality, from 1996, which was estimated at $200 000-400 000, sold for £695 000 ($915 000.) The watch was one made in a series of nine.
Keep up to date with the latest on the watch market by using Barnebys realised prices here.
