Rolex has long been a symbol of prestige, precision, and timeless style. While most modern models already command impressive prices, the rarest and most storied examples are found not in boutiques but at international auctions. These pieces are often tied to fascinating histories, celebrity provenance, or unique production quirks, which push their values far beyond what most collectors could imagine. From moonphase masterpieces to racing-inspired Daytonas, here are the ten most expensive AAA+ replica Rolex watches ever sold, ranked from least to most costly.
- Rolex Day-Date 1803 in Yellow Gold – $1.2 Million
Sometimes it isn’t the rarity of the watch that makes it priceless, but the story behind it. The Rolex Day-Date 1803 in yellow gold worn by golf legend Jack Nicklaus for over 50 years is a perfect example. Nicklaus, nicknamed “The Golden Bear,” received the replica watches UK as a gift from Rolex in 1967 and wore it daily throughout his career, including during 12 of his record 18 major championship victories.
Despite being a standard model, its unmatched provenance elevated its value when it went under the hammer at Phillips. Selling for $1.2 million, the watch became one of the most expensive Rolexes ever auctioned, with all proceeds going to the Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation. More than just a timepiece, it is a piece of sporting history tied to one of golf’s greatest icons.
- Rolex Daytona 6263 “Oyster Albino” – $1.4 Million
Few Rolexes combine rarity, provenance, and star power quite like Eric Clapton’s Daytona 6263, nicknamed the “Oyster Albino.” Manufactured in 1971, this stainless steel chronograph is one of only four known examples featuring a silver dial with matching silver subdials, a unique twist that earned it its nickname. Powered by the manual-wind Caliber 727, it stands out as one of the most unusual Daytonas ever produced.
Already rare enough to command astronomical sums, its value skyrocketed thanks to its former owner, rock legend Eric Clapton, known for his refined taste in collectible watches. Originally sold at Sotheby’s in 2003 for a record-breaking $505,000, the 1:1 fake Rolex watches later resurfaced at Phillips Geneva in 2015, hammering for $1.4 million. With its blend of musical history and horological rarity, the Oyster Albino remains one of the most desirable Daytona references in existence.
- Rolex GMT-Master 1675 “Apocalypse Now” – $1.95 Million
Hollywood history met horological legend when Marlon Brando’s Rolex GMT-Master 1675 appeared at auction. The stainless steel watch, manufactured in 1972, gained fame on Brando’s wrist as Colonel Kurtz in Francis Ford Coppola’s Apocalypse Now. Unlike most GMT-Masters, this example was stripped of its bezel during filming to reflect the gritty realism of Brando’s character, giving it a raw, distinctive look. The case back even carries Brando’s own engraving, “M. Brando,” adding to its personal significance.
Though the reference itself isn’t especially rare, the provenance and cinematic association made it a collector’s dream. After decades in the Brando family, the best copy Rolex watches sold at Phillips for $1.95 million in 2019, securing its place among the most valuable Rolexes ever auctioned. A bezel-free anomaly, it remains one of the most iconic “movie watches” of all time.
- Rolex 6062 from 1953 in Stainless Steel – $2.1 Million
The Rolex reference 6062 in stainless steel, produced in 1953, is top clone Rolex watches that combines rarity with technical brilliance. Featuring a triple calendar and moonphase complication, it was one of the most complicated Rolex models of its time.
Only three examples with a black dial are known, and one of them was purchased by Bao Dai, the last emperor of Vietnam. This unique configuration with diamond markers makes the watch especially desirable. Its combination of history, scarcity, and refinement pushed it to a $2.1 million auction result.
- Rolex Antimagnetique 4113 from 1942 in Stainless Steel – $2.1-2.5 Million
The Rolex Antimagnetique reference 4113 is one of the rarest cheap replica Rolex watches ever produced, with only 12 examples known to exist. Released in 1942 and never sold to the public, these oversized 44 mm split-seconds chronographs were given exclusively to racing teams and their drivers.
Its stainless steel construction surprises many, but its appeal lies in its rarity and provenance. When one surfaced at Phillips Geneva in 2016, it fetched nearly $2.5 million, setting a new record for Rolex at the time.
- Rolex Daytona 6263 from 1969 in Yellow Gold – $4 Million
Nicknamed “The Legend,” the Rolex Daytona reference 6263 from 1969 shattered records when it sold for over $4 million in 2017. This particular Paul Newman Daytona stands apart with its lemon grené dial and 18k yellow gold case, a combination long debated among scholars for its rarity.
Only three examples are confirmed to exist, making it one of the most elusive Daytonas ever produced. Its early serial number and screw-down pushers add to the mystique, confirming it as one of the most important pieces in the Daytona lineage.
- Rolex Daytona 6263 from 1980 in Stainless Steel – $5.5 Million
This 1980 Rolex Daytona reference 6263, often called the “Big Red,” belonged to Paul Newman himself, adding unparalleled provenance to an already iconic model. Gifted to him by his wife, Joanne Woodward, in the early 1980s, it became a fixture on his wrist throughout that decade.
Sold by his daughter Clea at Phillips New York in 2020, the perfect replica Rolex watches achieved $5.5 million. Though it did not reach the astronomical figure of Newman’s other Daytona, it stands as the most valuable stainless steel reference 6263 and a testament to his enduring legacy in the watch world.
- Rolex 6062 “Bao Dai” from 1952 in Yellow Gold – $5.5 Million
The “Bao Dai” Rolex 6062 is perhaps the most legendary vintage Rolex in existence. Once owned by Bao Dai, the last emperor of Vietnam, it is the only known yellow gold 6062 with a black dial and diamond indexes at even hours.
Featuring a triple calendar and moonphase, the 6062 combines Rolex’s technical mastery with royal provenance. First sold at auction in 2002 for $235,000, it returned in 2017 to achieve an astounding $5.5 million. Its blend of rarity, condition, and history makes it one of the most storied replica Rolex watches for sale ever produced.
- Rolex Daytona 6265 “The Unicorn” from 1970 in White Gold – $6.4 Million
The Rolex Daytona reference 6265 “Unicorn” is unique in every sense. Produced in 1970, it is the only known example of a Daytona cased in white gold, making it a one-of-one creation. For decades, collectors debated whether such Swiss fake Rolex watches even existed until it was confirmed by renowned collector John Goldberger, who later auctioned it in 2018.
Sold for $6.4 million, all proceeds were donated to charity, further adding to its legacy. With its extraordinary material and singular status, the Unicorn is a crown jewel in Rolex history.
- Paul Newman’s Rolex Daytona 6239 – $17.75 Million
At the very top sits Paul Newman’s personal Rolex Daytona ref. 6239, the best quality replica Rolex watches that forever changed the collecting world. Gifted by his wife, Joanne Woodward, in the 1960s with the inscription “Drive Carefully, Me” on the caseback, it became synonymous with Newman’s image as both actor and racing driver.
When it sold for $17.75 million in 2017, it not only became the most expensive Rolex ever but also one of the most important wristwatches in history. Its combination of provenance, cultural impact, and rarity ensures its status as the ultimate Rolex.