Celebrity-owned timepieces or watches with unique provenance – such as Paul Newman’s record-breaking Rolex – have been known to hit astronomical prices at auction . For example, a Rolex with a special connection to Britain’s Prince Harry recently sold for just under HK$300,000 (US$39,000). Here’s a look at some timepieces with unique stories that recently made their way onto the market. Hong Kong exhibition showcases 60 years of Tudor dive watches For some perspective, at the recent Phillips’ “Racing Pulse” New York auction, which sold 99 per cent of its lots on December 12, a Rolex Daytona once belonging to actor and racing car driver Paul Newman fetched US$5.5 million. While that’s still some way off smashing the US$17.8 million record that the original Paul Newman Daytona set in 2017 , it still marked a significant moment in the world of watch auctions. Rolex vs Patek Philippe: 6 differences between the 2 most iconic watch brands Also sold at the Phillips sale was actor Steve McQueen’s Heuer Monaco. The watch was one of seven Heuer Monacos worn on the set of 1971 film Le Mans . The timepiece brought in 10 times its estimates and sold for US$2.2 million, more than doubling the previous record of the others. A collection of Sylvester Stallone’s watches were also up for grabs at the same sale, which included four Richard Mille pieces as well as a Panerai, a brand regarded as one of the action star’s favourites. The collection of five watches sold for a total of US$3.1 million – over three times the estimate. Donald Trump and Joe Biden’s favourite watches – revealed Stallone’s Panerai Luminor, which he wore in the 1996 film Daylight , sold for US$214,200. A limited edition Rolex Explorer II has recently found its way to Watchfinder & Co. One of a specially-commissioned limited edition run, the watch was made for the British Attack Helicopter Regiment Prince Harry served in. The Rolex Explorer II Attack Helicopter was commissioned to mark the regiment’s deployment to Afghanistan. A total of 48 of these timepieces were produced in 2016 and this piece is only the fourth to have ever come to auction. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Watcharch Genève (@watcharch_ge) According to experts at Watchfinder & Co., Prince Harry owns an Explorer II with a white dial that they believe to be from this limited edition run. The former pilot has been seen wearing the watch on several occasions. How Swiss watchmakers are switching up for China’s luxury collectors The reference on Watchfinder & Co. features a black dial and a caseback engraved with an Apache Helicopter as well as the name of the serviceman who owns the watch. Military watches, with or without a royal connection, have performed well at auctions over the past few years. At the Phillips auction, a Rolex Submariner Ref 5517 made in 1977 set a world record for military-issued watches by the brand, according to Robb Report. The watch sold for more than five times its low estimate, fetching US$567,000. Fans of Rolex are fascinated by limited edition and commissioned runs of its timepieces. Among the most commonly found on the market? Pieces featuring Arab military crests. Want more stories like this? Sign up here . Follow STYLE on Facebook , Instagram , YouTube and Twitter .