Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo has achieved CHF 47,172,380 / $52,488,707 / €47,993,179 in The Geneva Watch Auction XVII, more than doubling the pre-sale low estimate of CHF 20 million and continuing an over two-year streak of selling 100% of lots offered.
Held over two days on 13 and 14 May at La Réserve Hotel, the sale welcomed 600 collectors, alongside 1,675 bidders competing online on Phillips.com. 100% of the 203 watches offered were sold, with Phillips selling two watches for above the $3 million mark, the only auction house to achieve such a feat this week.
The sale total was the highest achieved this season in Geneva, making it not only Phillips’ third highest sale total ever but also the third highest ever achieved in the field of horology.
The Rolex Ref. 6270, affectionately called “The End Game,” fetched an astonishing CHF 3,690,000, shattering the previous world record for any Rolex Ref. 6270 ever sold. This exceptional chronograph wristwatch in yellow gold boasts stunning jewels and is one of only eight known pieces in the market.
One of the most highly anticipated lots was the Patek Philippe reference 2499 second series perpetual calendar chronograph in pink gold, widely considered a pinnacle of watch collecting. Following an intense bidding war, the timepiece eventually sold for an impressive CHF 3,206,000. Only eight pink gold Second Series ref. 2499 models are known to exist, with these watches often referred to as the Mona Lisa of watch collecting.
Numerous exceptional results and world records were achieved for prestigious independent makers including F.P. Journe, Kari Voutilainen, De Bethune, Daniel Roth, MB&F, Roger Smith and Urban Jürgensen, to name a few.
The Naissance d’une Montre II project Greubel Forsey x Urwerk x Dominique Buser x Cyrano Devanthey sold for CHF 406,400.
Leading the section of independents was the Biver Carillon Tourbillon, a unique titanium carillon repeating tourbillon prototype belonging to Jean-Claude Biver. The timepiece captured the public’s attention and sold for an astounding CHF 1,270,000.
Another star lot of the Independent’s Atelier was the exceptional Philippe Dufour for Audemars Piguet pocket watch, the first masterpiece by the distinguished master watchmaker Philippe Dufour, which sold for CHF 889,000. Made in a series of five examples between 1982 and 1988, the present pocket watch is the very first Grande and Petite Sonnerie open-faced pocket watch made by Philippe Dufour exclusively for Audemars Piguet and retailed by Asprey.
Over Fifteen World records were achieved covering such diverse brands such as Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, Rolex, Vacheron Constantin, Greubel Forsey, and Roger Smith.
Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo The Geneva Watch Auction XVII: Top Ten Lots
Lot 102: Rolex, Ref. 6270 “The End Game”
An incredibly rare yellow gold chronograph wristwatch with diamond-pavé dial, sapphire indexes, baguette diamond-set bezel, caseback sticker and bracelet
- Estimate: CHF 1,200,000 – 2,400,000
- Sold for: CHF 3,690,000/ $ 4,105,853/ € 3,754,206 (world record for the reference for any gem-set Daytona)
Lot 23: Patek Philippe, Ref. 2499
A “Second Series” pink gold perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch with moonphases
- Estimate: CHF1,500,000 – 3,000,000
- Sold for: CHF 3,206,000/ $ 3,567,316/ € 3,261,784
Lot 207: Patek Philippe, Ref. 2499
A “First Series” yellow gold perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch with moonphases
- Estimate: CHF 800,000 – 1,600,000
- Sold for: CHF 2,359,000/ $ 2,624,859/ € 2,400,046
Lot 25: Rolex, Ref. 6541 Milgauss “The Pinnacle”
An amagnetic stainless steel wristwatch with honeycomb dial, “lightning” hand, bracelet, chronometer certificate, guarantee, hang tag and presentation box
- Estimate: CHF 500,000 – 1,000,000
- Sold for: CHF 2,238,000/ $ 2,490,222/ € 2,276,941 (world record for any Rolex Milgauss)
Lot 128: BIVER
A unique titanium carillon minute repeating tourbillon wristwatch prototype with obsidian dial and bracelet
- Estimate on request
- Sold for: CHF 1,270,000/ $ 1,413,129/ € 1,292, 098
Lot 57: Patek Philippe, Ref. 5531R-012 Lavaux Landscape
A pink gold minute repeating world time wristwatch with miniature cloisonné enamel dial, certificate of origin, additional caseback and presentation box, single sealed
- Estimate: CHF 900,000 – 1,800,000
- Sold for: CHF 1,168,400/ $1,300,078/ €1,188,730
Lot 139: Patek Philippe, Ref. 5004
A stainless steel perpetual calendar split seconds chronograph wristwatch with moon phases, 24 hours, leap year indicator, original certificate, additional caseback and presentation box
- Estimate: CHF 400,000 – 800,000
- Sold for: CHF 939,800/ $ 1,045,715/ € 956,152 (world record for this reference)
Lot 127: Philippe Dufour for Audemars Piguet
An open face two-train minute repeating pocket watch with grande and petite sonnerie, retailed by Asprey
- Estimate: CHF 400,000 – 800,000
- Sold for: CHF 889,000/ $ 989,190/ € 904,468
Lot 22: Patek Philippe, Ref. 1579
A yellow gold chronograph wristwatch with “Spider” lugs and engraved/enamelled Breguet numerals
- Estimate: CHF 300,000 – 600,000
- Sold for: CHF 793,750/ $ 883,205/ € 807,561 (world record for this reference in gold)
Lot 145: Patek Philippe, Ref. 3448
A white gold perpetual calendar wristwatch with moon phases, small date ring and “Sigma” designation, original certificate and presentation box
- Estimate: CHF 500,000 – 1,000,000
- Sold for: CHF 787,400/ $ 876,139/ € 801,100
