Phillips Watch Auction Sets Record With $112.3M in Sales

By JCK News Desk | November 09, 2026

Phillips made watch auction history on November 7–8, bringing in $112.3 million at its two-day Geneva sale. It was the highest total ever for a watch auction and the first live watch sale to surpass $100 million.

All 217 lots offered at the Geneva Watch Auction: XXIV found buyers, with 17 timepieces selling for more than 1 million Swiss francs ($1.2 million). Phillips said the sale, held in association with Bacs & Russo, established 24 world auction records and attracted 2,121 registered bidders from 69 countries. The average selling price exceeded $500,000 per lot.

F.P. Journe was the standout brand, with 13 of its watches generating a combined $38.8 million. A platinum Chronomètre à Résonance “Régence” (pictured at top) led the entire auction at 8.68 million Swiss francs ($10.6 million), while a titanium Tokyo Boutique Chronomètre à Résonance fetched $7.5 million, and a diamond-set platinum Vagabondage III brought $6.2 million.

Patek Philippe Ref 1436 — *Patek Philippe Ref. 1436, from 1945*

Vintage Patek Philippe watches also produced strong results. A stainless steel Ref. 1436 split-seconds chronograph sold for 6.27 million Swiss francs ($7.64 million), setting what Phillips called an auction record for any split-seconds chronograph. One of only two known examples retaining the original steel case-and-dial configuration, it had been estimated at 2 million to 4 million Swiss francs.

A 1924 Cartier Portico Mystery Clock No. 4 brought 4.82 million Swiss francs ($5.87 million), setting a world auction record for a Cartier timepiece. The clock, one of six known Porticos and the only example with a hexagonal rock crystal dial, was appearing at auction for the first time since 1996.

Rolex also topped the million-dollar mark with several pieces. A newly discovered Ref. 6062 “Stelline” in 18k yellow gold sold for $2.85 million, while a Ref. 6241 Cosmograph Daytona “John Player Special” brought $2.32 million. A probably unique square Ref. 3830 “Verga” from the Pucci Papaleo collection fetched $1.55 million, setting a record for a non-Oyster Rolex chronograph.

Independent watchmakers also drew seven-figure bids, including a platinum Philippe Dufour Simplicity, which sold for $2.4 million, and Kari Voutilainen’s tantalum Vingt-8 Inversé, which brought $1.86 million. Phillips said the $112.3 million overall result broke the watch auction record it had set only six months earlier.

The JCK News Desk uses AI to help research and produce the first draft of articles. This story was then reviewed by staff writer David Blomquist.

(Photos courtesy of Phillips)