“The Neanderthal”

"The Neanderthal" is next on the list of the most expensive Rolex watches ever sold at auction. The name of this model, which was introduced in 1966, comes from the dial's pre-"Paul Newman" qualities. The watch's distinctive dial is crucial for giving Cosmograph Daytona lovers a better knowledge of the model. Large subdial counters (now known as "Big Eye" counters) almost touch the outer white seconds track, giving it remarkable proportions. Furthermore, the watch bears no clear traces of its origins, as Rolex elected to leave the terms Oyster and Cosmograph off the dial.

The Ref. 6240 model was first produced in 1965 and was available only in stainless steel with an acrylic bezel with a tachymeter scale. The Cosmograph was also the first to include screw-down chronograph pushers. These first-generation pushers have developed a layer of patina, and they're accompanied by an original twinlock 700-series winding crown, which is easily identifiable thanks to the Rolex coronet. Phillips sold the odd model for 3.012 million Swiss francs in May of 2018.

Price: 3.021 million Swiss francs