The incredible 1.5 million worth Rolex "Bao Dai" will lead the Phillips Geneva watch auction in May

The auction, held by Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo, boasts a breathtaking selection of iconic vintage Rolex watches. One of them, the legendary “Bao Dai”, belonged to His Majesty Bao Dai, the last emperor of Vietnam.

One of the world’s most valuable and historic Rolex wristwatches remaining in private hands: this is the pièce de résistance of the Geneva Watch Auction that will be held in Geneva on 13 and 14 May at Hôtel La Réserve by Phillips in association with Bacs & Russo.

The astonishing Rolex Reference 6062 "Bao Dai", universally regarded by collectors as being amongst the most valuable and desirable Rolexes ever made by the prestigious manufacturer (with an estimated value of over US $1.5 million), was owned by His Majesty Bao Dai was the 13th and last emperor of the Nguyễn Dynasty (the rulers of Vietnam) who bought the timepiece in Geneva in 1954. What makes the watch so valuable, besides its Imperial status, is its craftsmanship: this is, in fact, the most complicated and iconic Oyster-cased model created by the brand, featuring day, date, month and moonphase indications.

Other remarkable timepieces to be sold at the auction are The Gold Oyster Paul Newman Chronograph, an extraordinarily rare yellow gold Rolex chronograph wristwatch with "lemon" dial, white graphics and bracelet, reference 6263 "Paul Newman", circa 1969; and The Neptune, a gorgeous yellow gold Rolex wristwatch with cloisonné enamel dial, reference 8382, circa 1953, one of two reference 8382s to feature a cloisonné enamel dial depicting Neptune riding the sea.

[gallery columns="2" link="file" size="medium" ids="18694,18695"]