5 Strange Rolex Watches You’ve Probably Never Seen Before: From a Square Chronograph to a Lemon Daytona
These are the Rolexes that make a Submariner look positively ordinary.
by Johnny Davis
Published on Sep 30, 2026
Think Rolex and you probably picture a Submariner, GMT-Master or Daytona. But over its history, The Crown has made some considerably stranger things.
Proof comes from the collection of Rome-based Rolex scholar Pucci Papaleo. He has spent more than 30 years assembling some 70 Rolex chronographs, and 16 are heading to auction at Phillips in Geneva on 7 and 8 November.
1. Rolex Ref. 3830
A square Rolex? Apparently so. Made circa 1941, this extraordinary 30mm 18k yellow-gold chronograph is thought to be unique. No other example is known to have appeared at auction, and Phillips estimates it at more than CHF 1 million.
2. Rolex Ref. 3525 “Bariletto”
Introduced in 1939, the 3525 was Rolex’s first chronograph wristwatch in an Oyster case. This example has a multi-scale dial signed by Australian retailer Prouds, believed to be the only one of its kind on the market.
3. Rolex Ref. 3335
Pink gold case, pink dial and a chunky-for-1941 37mm diameter. This beautifully preserved early chronograph also carries the signature of the Naples retailer Monetti. Bellissimo.
4. Rolex “Paul Newman Musketeer” Daytona
Even Paul Newman Daytonas go weirder. This rare Ref. 6239 has an unusual black “Musketeer” dial, distinguished by the treatment of its three subdials.
5. Rolex “Paul Newman Lemon” Daytona
The big one. This creamy-yellow-dial Ref. 6264 is believed to be the only known 14k example from its celebrated 2.3-million serial range. Estimate? More than CHF 1 million.
This story originally appeared on Esquire.com.
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