FutureGrail, the luxury auction house known for sourcing some of the rarest watches in the world, has set a new global record with the sale of an exceptionally scarce Rolex Reference 4113, one of only 12 ever produced.
The vintage masterpiece sold for US$4,717,000, smashing the previous world record for a Reference 4113 by more than US$1.2 million. The sale took place following a high-profile preview event at the Bvlgari Yacht Club in Dubai, drawing intense interest from collectors, investors, and horology enthusiasts.
“This sale is one of the most significant in auction history, breaking a world record and underlining the demand from luxury watch collectors across the globe,” said Ali Nael, CEO of FutureGrail. “We may not see a Rolex 4113 of this quality come to market for a long time.”
A Rare Icon With Racing Heritage
Produced in the 1940s, the Rolex Reference 4113 holds mythical status among collectors. Only nine are known to exist today. It is the only vintage Rolex ever built with a split-seconds chronograph, and its history is intertwined with European motor racing, with past owners including drivers and team principals.
Its rarity, provenance, and complication make it one of the most coveted watches in vintage horology.
The record-breaking price now places the timepiece as the ninth-most-expensive Rolex ever sold.
FutureGrail Expands Middle East Footprint
The Singapore-headquartered auction house plans to open a UAE base in 2026 to meet surging regional demand for collectible watches. The Middle East has seen a sharp rise in ultra–high–net–worth collectors, many of whom are turning toward rare timepieces as alternative investment assets.
FutureGrail’s mix of a world-class curation team, led by Arnaud Tellier, former Director of the Patek Philippe Museum, and competitive buyer/seller premiums has helped cement its status as an emerging global leader in the secondary luxury watch market.
“There is huge demand in the luxury watch market,” Tellier said. “Shrewd collectors optimise value and potential liquidity by identifying rare items in the best possible condition.”
