Christie’s Final Live Watch Auction of the Year Is Happening Now

By Annie Davidson Watson | December 09, 2025

Christie’s concludes its 2025 live auction calendar with today’s Important Watches sale in New York City. Underscoring the demand for both historical artistry and modern innovation, the auction features exceptional timepieces from Rolex, Patek Philippe, Cartier, and Audemars Piguet as well as contemporary independent makers such as Greubel Forsey.

One top lot is a unique Charles Frodsham silver carriage clock (pictured at top), estimated at $200,000 to $400,000. The hump-back horological treasure has grande and petite sonnerie, a one-minute tourbillon, and a seven-day power reserve.

Patek watch — *Patek Philippe ref. 2526 from Serpico y Laino, estimate $250,000–$450,000*

Rare Patek Philippes make a strong showing in the Christie’s event, led—with an estimate of $250,000 to $450,000—by the only known version of the first-series ref. 2526 with black enamel dial that was retailed by Serpico y Laino.

For those drawn to artistic timekeeping, Patek Philippe’s “The Scout” pocket watch features a masterwork enamel miniature by G. Menni of Charles M. Russell’s 1907 same-named painting of a Native American on horseback. Created for a 1995 exhibition, this ref. 652/283 model is consigned fresh to market and estimated to achieve between $100,000 and $200,000.

Patek pocket watch — *Patek Philippe “The Scout” pocket watch, estimate $100,000–$200,000*

Modern marvels in the Christie’s sale include the MB&F Horological Machine No. 6 Sapphire Vision, with semi-spherical display indicators and its mechanism in full view. This imaginative, limited-edition automatic tourbillon—one of only 10 such models made in platinum and sapphire crystal—is estimated at $150,000 to $350,000.

MB&F watch — *MB&F Horological Machine No. 6 Sapphire Vision (HM6-SV), estimate $150,000–$350,000*

Rolex collectors can target several highly rare pieces, including a stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with classic “Paul Newman” dial, estimated at $160,000 to $220,000; 18k white gold Daytona “Beach” ref. 116589 models with turquoise (estimate $150,000–$250,000) or mother-of-pearl ($120,000–$240,000) dial, both with baguette diamond bezels; and an extremely well-preserved stainless steel automatic wristwatch with the coveted black gilt “4-line” dial ($100,000 to $200,000).

(Photos courtesy of Christie’s Ltd. 2025)

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