Phillips In Association With Bacs & Russo Achieve CHF 43.4 / USD 52 MILLION For The Geneva Watch Auction: XXI, Outperforming The Market
The Top Ten Lots Totaled CHF 18,630,700 with Three Timepieces Selling Above CHF 2 Million and Five Selling Above CHF 1 Million
AUCTION NEWS | 839 WORDS | 8 MIN READ
Geneva, 10 & 11 May 2025
Sale Total: CHF 43,410,306 / $52,196,551.9344 / €46,396,935.0528
Lots Sold: 188 | Lots Offered: 192 Sold by Lot: 98% | Sold by Value: 99%
Image Courtsey: Phillips
GENEVA – 11 May 2025 – Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo achieved a remarkable total of CHF 43.4 million at The Geneva Watch Auction: XXI, underscoring strong market confidence and reaffirming its global leadership position. A tightly curated sale, combined with sustained global demand, drove exceptional results – more than doubling the pre-sale estimate. With participation from 1,820 registered bidders across 71 countries, including 1,580 online, along with a packed saleroom, energetic telephone banks, and dynamic online activity, the auction demonstrated the enduring strength of the market and a robust global appetite for rare and important timepieces.
Alexandre Ghotbi, Deputy Chairman & Head of Watches, Europe, and Middle East and Tiffany To, Senior International Watch Specialist and Head of Sale, jointly said: “The strength of the market was on full display this weekend, with passionate bidding and exceptional results for timepieces spanning over 150 years of watchmaking – from wristwatches, pocket watches to clocks from Switzerland, Germany, England, and France. These results reaffirm the enduring appeal of great watchmaking. But beyond the numbers, what continues to define these moments is the spirit of friendship among our team and the genuine bond we share with our collectors around the world. This is a community built not just on horology, but on trust, shared history, and a love for craftsmanship. We’re honoured to be part of it.”
The Top Performing Lots
The top lot was the Breguet Pendule Sympathique Clock No. 1, which achieved CHF 5,505,000. Built by F.P. Journe and Techniques Horlogères Appliquées in 1991, the clock is a modern tribute to Breguet’s history and legacy of horological innovation. The Sympathique clock was purchased by F.P. Journe himself as an addition for his brand museum.
Vintage Patek Philippe wristwatches also drew intense interest with the sale of the only known Patek Philippe in 18k pink gold for CHF 2,722,000. The world’s first automatic perpetual calendar wristwatch, the has been beloved by collectors for decades. Produced between 1962 and 1982, almost all examples were cased in yellow or white gold. This example in pink gold is the only example known to exist.
The Cartier Portico Mystery Clock No. 3, a museum-quality masterpiece of Art Deco design from 1924, commanded bidders’ attention resulting in a sale price of CHF 3,932,000. Only six Cartier Portico clocks exist, with No. 3 among the most opulent. First exhibited at the 1925 Exposition des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, the clock resurfaced at Phillips after more than three decades in private hands.
Vintage Rolex wristwatches continued to captivate bidders, with exceptional results for “Paul Newman” Daytonas. A fresh-to-market in yellow gold with a gorgeous “Lemon” dial fetched CHF 825,500, and a champagne-dial in yellow gold realized CHF 508,000. Other standout Rolex results included a pink gold “Padellone” at CHF 508,000, and a yellow gold “Pre-Daytona” with a glossy black dial at CHF 533,400.
Philippe and Elisabeth Dufour Foundation
A remarkable CHF 1,178,560 was raised for the Philippe and Elisabeth Dufour Foundation from the sale of 11 one-of-a-kind timepieces, led by a unique Philippe Dufour Simplicity with a dial crafted from butterfly wings that achieved CHF 647,700.
Exceptional results for Independent Watchmakers
Independent watchmakers continued to command strong prices, with an F.P. Journe Tourbillon Souverain with ruby heart dial realizing CHF 1,633,000 and a Chronomètre à Résonance with black mother-of-pearl dial selling for CHF 685,800. A Konstantin Chaykin ThinKing prototype, the thinnest mechanical watch ever made, achieved CHF 508,000. The first Simon Brette Chronomètre Artisans to appear at auction sold for CHF 203,200. Watches by Charles Frodsham, Christian Klings, Daniel Roth, Haldimann, and Urban Jürgensen also saw impressive results.
Further highlights
A unique, minute-repeating Vacheron Constantin with a brushed platinum case from 1961 sold for CHF 698,500, far exceeding its estimate of CHF 120,000 to 240,000.
Universal Genève donated a one-of-a-kind Polerouter SAS model in 18k white gold with a handmade chain-mesh bracelet, an attractive blue dial, and a vintage UG micro-rotor movement. This new watch, one of the first from the recently revived brand under new ownership, achieved CHF 56,000, with the proceeds benefiting a chainmaking training program at the Centre de Formation Professionnelle Arts in Geneva.
ABOUT PHILLIPS
Phillips: where the world’s curious and bold connect with the art, design, and luxury that inspires them. As a leading global platform for buying and selling 20th and 21st century works, Phillips offers dedicated expertise in the areas of Modern and Contemporary Art, Design, Photographs, Editions, Watches, and Jewels. Auctions and exhibitions are primarily held in New York, London, Geneva, and Hong Kong, with representative offices based throughout Europe, the United States, and Asia. Phillips offers a regular selection of live and online auctions, along with items available for immediate purchase. Phillips also offers a range of services and advice on all aspects of collecting, including private sales and assistance with appraisals, valuations, and financial planning.
*Estimates do not include buyer’s premium; prices achieved include the hammer price plus buyer’s premium.
For further information visit phillips.com