Watch auctioneer Antiquorum took in more than $4.7 million at its auction in Geneva titled “Important Collector’s Wristwatches, Pocket Watches, Clocks and Horological Tools,” held March 28 and 29.

Of the 481 timepieces offered for sale, 109.62 percent was sold by value and 78.36 percent was sold by lot.

The top-selling watch was an 18k Rolex “Baguette Diamond Cosmograph” Ref. 6270, a very fine and rare wristwatch in 18k yellow gold, with bezel set with 28 baguette-diamonds which sold for a record $313,610 following fierce bidding, the auction house said.

Strong international interest came from Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Russian Federation, and the United States in addition to a strong internet presence and a healthy turnout of live bidders at the Grand Hotel Kempinski this week-end, the auction house said.

Patek Philippe wristwatches and pocket watches performed well at the auction. An 18k yellow gold wristwatch with perpetual calendar made in 1980, Ref. 2499/100 sold for $271753. Another rare and important Patek Philippe wristwatch, Ref. 1518 in 18k yellow gold fetched $209,041.

Pocket watches did well after the minute-repeating, keyless pocket watch from 1892 and made by Patek Philippe, realized $18,282.

“The strong interest in our mid-season sale, our first in Geneva this year, confirms the ability for watches and clocks to continue to perform well. We look forward to our May Geneva auction with enthusiasm and anticipation of continued strength in the market,” said Robert Maron, chairman, Antiquorum.

Another highlight of the auction was the “Gyrotourbillon 1” from Jaeger-Lecoultre a highly complicated wristwatch in platinum, which sold for $302907 after competitive in-room bidding. Also, Panerai did very well with a white gold Zerograph, sold for SFr. $27,153, well above its estimate.

“Rare pieces at auction such as the record setting Rolex Ref. 6270 prove that exceptional timepieces bring worldwide interest and amazing results,” said Julien Schaerer, watch director and auctioneer, Antiquorum USA.

Finally, a rare, Louis XV, mahogany and ormolu, 8-day going, hour and quarter-striking, musical bracket clock made by Pierre Jaquet Droz circa 1770 (lot 297), achieved a result of $109,683.

JCK