Watches at auction

On 8 & 9 November, Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo will celebrate ten years of watch auctions with the Decade One (2015-2025) thematic sale in Geneva. Here are a few highlights.

 

The first steel Patek Philippe Ref. 1518 ever made and one of only four known. When last offered by Phillips in 2016, it realized CHF 11,002,000, becoming the most expensive wristwatch ever sold at auction at the time and the first to surpass the eight-figure threshold. Estimate in excess of CHF 8,000,000.

 

This 18k yellow-gold “Paul Newman” Daytona Ref. 6239 with Omani provenience, nicknamed the “Golden Pagoda”, is among the best-preserved champagne-dial Paul Newman examples known. Estimate : CHF 500,000-1,000,000.

 

Delivered in 1913 to John Pierpont Morgan, Jr (the bank founder’s son), this is the very first Cartier ‘Model A’ Mystery Clock, devised in 1912 by clockmaker Maurice Coüet. Estimate: CHF 300,000-600,000.

 

A Patek Philippe Ref. 1436 Split-Seconds Chronograph in yellow gold with Tiffany & Co.-signed dial. Estimate : CHF 150,000 – 300,000.

 

A Patek Philippe Ref. 2499 Perpetual Calendar Chronograph in yellow gold with Gübelin-signed dial Estimate: 400,000-800,000.

 

A  platinum and diamond-set Patek Philippe Ref. 3424/1 designed by Gilbert Albert. Estimate: CHF 100,000-200,000. 

 

This white gold piece is one of around 50 jump-hour wristwatches believed to have been produced by Breguet in the 20th century. Estimate : CHF 20,000-40,000.

 

Made for Esso Standard circa 1957, this Breguet Type XX chronograph in stainless steel is engraved with the oil company’s name on the caseback. Estimate: CHF 30,000-60,000.