When I recently visited Sotheby’s, it was not just their range of Important Watches auction lots I went hands-on with. While the Important Replica Watches auction will be held live in NYC on December 7, concurrently there is also the Sotheby’s Fine Watches auction happening right now on their website – with the bidding on all lots closing on December 12, 2023. Of these proclaimed “fine” fake watches, I got up close and personal with four exceedingly rare references. Patek Philippe and lume in the same sentence, at least for non-sports models, is very rare. And, to have a luxury fake Rolex watch I have never heard of or seen in front of me is a very rare occurrence as well.
Lot 248: Asprey Rolex Daytona ref. 116500LN circa 2021
I was already familiar with perfect replica Rolex rarities like the Supreme Submariner, but this stainless steel Rolex Daytona from Asprey was a complete surprise to me. In 2021, 25 of these aaa quality fake Rolex Daytona watches were made. However, it is unclear what the nature and genesis of this “collaboration” was. Sotheby’s explains: “The collaboration between Asprey and Rolex has been highly coveted since the 1970s when the Omani government began ordering customized ‘Omani’ dial timepieces to be given as gifts for British SAS soldiers who were involved in the Dhofar Rebellion (1970-1976). Asprey was an official retailer of Rolex super clone for sale and is well known for selling customised pieces.”
All of the watch’s components were manufactured by Swiss movement replica Rolex, including the dial which has Rolex stamping and hallmarks on its backside. What is unclear, ultimately, is whether or not the dial left the factory with its purple hue and Asprey co-branding or if the colour and signature were later added by a customiser.
I really fell hard for this high quality fake Rolex and was teary-eyed taking it off and handing it back to Sotheby’s staff. The lilac purple lacquer is the perfect shade, and purple is hardly seen in the watch world at present. As I said before, only 25 pieces exist and I doubt that, short of a monumental event like Rolliefest, I will see one of these ‘in the metal’ again. The high quality fake Rolex is accompanied by its original Asprey outer and inner box, along with the Asprey warranty card.
