No, this isn’t the famous Bao Dai; aside from lacking that provenance, the dial configuration and bracelet here are different, and it’s one of two known in this configuration. It’s a stunningly great watch, even for the uninitiated. You can easily look at this watch with no knowledge and understand what makes it great, but it far outstrips the quality of the Bao Dai as well. The timing on that watch, with its provenance, resulted in a $5,060,427 result in 2017, whereas this sold for 1/10th the price just over a decade prior. The timing is right for a watch like this to return to market, when collectors should finally understand that this is the Holy Grail of Rolex. The estimate is “in excess of €3,000,000,” a price rarely seen at auction, even after the market boom.