Well, was it even a surprise? The Rolex 4113 Split Seconds Chronograph has topped records as the most expensive Crown timepiece ever.
Did you by chance see the “Talking Watches” episode where John Goldberger took to showcasing the intricacies of his rare Rolex 4113? If you did you’ll know he’s a bona fide horological scholar.
He’s a dedicated luxury watch collector of the very highest order. His discretion, taste, and expertise? I’d say arguably unmatched. The discerning collector owns (among many other rare gems) the Rolex Split Seconds Chronograph.
It’s the only Rolex Split Seconds Chronograph design.
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What Makes the Rolex 4113 Unique?
What’s so special about the Rolex 4113 is that the brand only made twelve. Of those twelve, the nine that have made a public appearance since 1942 seem to be in good condition.
Despite their intriguing dials with faded blue tachymetric elements, they sell for earth-shattering prices on the pre-owned market. The most expensive before this sold for a staggering CHF 2,405 000 (approximately 2,638,935 USD) at the 2016 “Start-Stop-Reset” auction at Phillips Geneva.
This wouldn’t be the only Rolex watch to sell for eye-watering amounts of money at auction. The Paul Newman Rolex Oyster Cosmograph Daytona Ref. 6239 watch also broke records! The steel model with a white dial and black sub-counters sold for $17.8 million in 2017.
Last weekend, the John Goldberger Rolex ref 4113 sold at the Monaco Legend Group auction for…wait…are you sitting down? US $3.5 million. Yes, you read that correctly. Now go splash some cold water on your face.
It’s yet another new record. And it comes as no surprise because the watch is quite possibly the rarest ever Rolex.
The Rolex Split Seconds ref 4113 is the ultimate collector’s piece. Even if we know very little about its history, we at least know that John Goldberger deemed it collector-worthy. And that says a lot. During the Talking Watches session (at 6:54), he literally picks up a cheese knife and lifts the case back open to show the movement inside!
That kitchen utensil-wielding moment from the pocket of such a legendary mega-collector was iconic. As such, I shall never look at a cheese knife in the same way again!
What We Do Know About the Rolex 4113
I mean, any watch exclusive to just 12 pieces worldwide is going to attract a hell of a lot of curiosity. But this is also a Rolex, and that makes a whole lot of difference. Members of elite watch-collecting circles would die for one of these scarce timepieces.
The elusive timepiece looks like nothing the Crown company has developed before. For starters, it’s wide and thin, giving it the appearance of a dinner plate. How many Rolex watches do you know that look like that?
Whether you’re a Rolex enthusiast or not, you’ll know that the brand got famous for its legendary Oyster case. The crown, bezel, and caseback, locked onto a middle section, enhanced water resistance.
Dissimilarly, the Rolex 4113 is anything but chunky and robust-looking. Sure, the brand crafts it from steel, but its profile is something of a first and last.
The majority of the Rolex 4113 watches re-entered the market over the past four decades back to Sicily. It’s the home of the Giro Automobilistico di Sicilia race.
During the 1930s, before the model arrived, Rolex enjoyed a relationship with motorsports. The company had even sponsored Sir Malcolm Campbell as he broke the world land speed record in his iconic “Bluebird”.
What many believe to be the case with the development of these 12 rare models makes sense. They were gifts to racing team owners during the 1940s.
The first to surface on the pre-owned market came from the family of late racing driver Stefano La Motto. The second sold in England the very same year. The widow of another former racing team employee had consigned it.
We also know that a watch of such complexity was a rarity for Rolex. The brand tends to leave complication-making to other prestigious manufacturers in the industry. Over the years, critics have accused Rolex of not wanting to push the horological boundaries more.
Understandably, the limitations of its work in complication watches boost the desirability of watches like this ref 4113.
What We Don’t Know About the Rolex 4113
The brand never actually advertised the Rolex 4113 or put the watch on the market, so it has always been the subject of speculation among enthusiasts.
Knowledge of its background and beginnings was merely hearsay until collectors came forward at auctions with key information. Still, a lot remains unknown about the watch.
Three of the models have never resurfaced. While it’s possible that they no longer exist, they might! They may even exist in better condition than those we’ve already seen. Imagine the value position of those!
What Does the Rolex Split Seconds Chronograph Do?
Apart from stirring up a whole lot of intrigue and fascination, the conspicuous Rolex 4113 operates as any Split Seconds watch would.
A standard chronograph, which can either be a chronometer or not, is a stopwatch function. Its purpose is to measure elapsed time. Equipped with a reset function, it enables a new timing to begin after it completes the first.
A split-second watch like the Rolex 4113 works by way of a second hand located underneath the main chronograph seconds hand. Until activated, you’d barely even know the hand exists.
The key advantage of the split-second chronograph is that it can calculate two timings at once. It can record two intermediate times between two racing cars, for example. Once activated in the normal way, both hands simultaneously begin moving.
Then, when you activate the pusher again, the second underlying hand will stop. This records the first timing.
When you press the pusher again, the remaining hand stops. That’s how you measure intermediate times with this type of chronograph.
Characteristics of the Rolex 4113
As mentioned earlier, this Rolex Split Seconds Chronograph ref 4113 has a unique flat and slim profile. Auction viewers and serious collectors regard it as a complete marvel.
Its case, with lugs that are straight and raised, is satin-finished in some parts. It gives way to a unique champagne dial that we now understand varies across the 12 models (or at least the nine we know of).
What is interesting is that all of the dials have worn and aged in different ways. This suggests Rolex possibly used different materials for the dials. We have very little information, however, to back this up with any sound evidence.
What we can see is that the text and printing differ across the dials of these watches. The tachymeter scales, which equip these watches, have all faded differently despite all sharing a blue finish.
One of the 4113 references also features a stainless steel and rose gold outfit, while another features a pink gold crown.
Also, the model’s broad 44mm diameter was practically unheard of for its time. It houses the Valjoux 55 VBR inside, which is used for other split-second chronographs of the same period.
Rolex equipped the 4113 with a bezel as big as technical capabilities could allow for at the time. This opened up the dial to measure nearly as wide as the case itself!
The watch also has a slightly domed back and a thin case edge, allowing it to sit quite flat on the wrist.
The Value and Collector Appeal of the Rolex 4113
Before the 4113 sold for CHF 1,107,750 in 2013 (ref 051314), it was already selling for four times its estimated auction value. The first recorded sale in 1991 was sold in Geneva’s Christie’s for 82,500 Swiss francs.
Since then, the value has increased significantly.
Many of the 4113 watches to have resurfaced from the 1940s seem to be in good shape. Is it any wonder? These are amongst the top highest-selling timepieces in history!
This design, the only Split Seconds Chronograph ever manufactured by the Maison, has been the object of desire for true horologists for years.
In 2016, the estimated value of the Rolex 4113 was $2.4 million. It was spotted being casually worn on the wrist of a collector at Dubai Watch Week. It went to show that it wasn’t just museum moochers and investment-hungry auction-goers who were interested in this piece.
People love this watch for its unusual style and elegant complexity.
Inaccessible But Stunning
The Rolex Split Seconds Chronograph ref 4113 is held in the highest esteem, far surpassing the rarity of other desirable limited edition Rolex watches.
Considering the appeal of the Daytona (particularly the Paul Newman), the Split Seconds Chronograph is beyond reach for most. Even top collectors have been unsuccessful at catching a glimpse of it in the flesh.
Thanks to a few of those lucky owners and scholars, over recent years, we have been able to learn more about the Rolex 4113.
With prices climbing further than we could ever have imagined, who knows how much the next could sell for?
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