Auction Phillips Achieves CHF 43.4 Million at the Geneva Watch Auction XXI

Phillips, in association with Bacs & Russo, realized an outstanding CHF 43.4 million at the Geneva Watch Auction: XXI, marking another milestone for the house. The auction featured a meticulously curated selection of timepieces, many of which far surpassed their pre-sale estimates, some by more than double. A total of 1,820 bidders from 71 countries took part, including 1,580 online participants. The packed saleroom, alongside robust phone and digital platform activity, reflected the sustained strength and global appetite for rare and important watches.

The top ten lots alone accounted for CHF 18,630,700, with three watches selling for over CHF 2 million and five others exceeding the CHF 1 million mark. Of the 192 lots offered, 188 were sold, achieving a remarkable 98% sell-through rate by lot.

Leading the sale was the Breguet Sympathique N°1, which achieved CHF 5,505,000, over five times its original estimate of CHF 1 million. Crafted in 1991 by F.P. Journe and Techniques Horlogères Appliquées, this modern tribute to Breguet’s horological legacy was personally acquired by François-Paul Journe for the museum of his eponymous brand. Read our in-depth article on this timepiece here.

Classic Patek Philippe watches drew strong interest, particularly the Ref. 3448 in 18K pink gold, which fetched CHF 2,722,000. This piece is believed to be the only known example in pink gold of the world’s first self-winding perpetual calendar wristwatch. Produced between 1962 and 1982, most examples were cased in yellow or white gold, making this variant exceptionally rare. Explore our full feature on this iconic reference here.

Also turning heads was the Cartier Portique Mystérieuse No. 3, an Art Deco masterpiece from 1924 that sold for CHF 3,932,000—nearly double its initial estimate. Only six of these mystery clocks are known, with the first appearing at the 1925 Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs in Paris. This particular piece resurfaced after more than three decades in private collections.

Vintage Rolex remained a highlight, especially the coveted "Paul Newman" Daytonas. A Ref. 6264 in yellow gold with a “Lemon” dial achieved CHF 825,500, while a Ref. 6239 with a champagne dial sold for CHF 508,000. Other standout Rolex results included a pink gold Ref. 8171 “Padellone” at CHF 508,000 and a Ref. 6238 “Pre-Daytona” with glossy black dial at CHF 533,400.

The Philippe and Elisabeth Dufour Foundation raised CHF 1,178,560 through the sale of 11 unique timepieces, headlined by a Philippe Dufour Simplicity with a butterfly-wing dial, which sold for CHF 647,700.

Independent watchmakers continued their impressive performance. An F.P. Journe Tourbillon Souverain with a red sapphire dial sold for CHF 1,633,000, while a Chronomètre à Résonance with a black mother-of-pearl dial realized CHF 685,800.

The Konstantin Chaykin ThinKing, the world’s thinnest mechanical watch, fetched CHF 508,000. The first watch by Simon Bret Chronometre Artisan sold for CHF 203,200, while pieces by Charles Frodsham, Christian Klings, Daniel Roth, Haldimann, and Urban Jürgensen also delivered strong results.

Making its official return, Universal Genève unveiled its first new watch in decades a one-of-a-kind Polerouter SAS Tribute in 18K white gold, featuring a hand-woven mesh bracelet, elegant blue dial, and classic UG micro-rotor movement. It sold for CHF 71,120, with proceeds benefiting a vocational training program in bracelet craftsmanship at Geneva’s Centre de Formation Professionnelle Arts.

Full auction results and upcoming sale dates are available on the Phillips website.