Sotheby’s Sets Four World Records at Its Geneva Live Watch Sales Over the Weekend
With a combined total of $22.9 million USD in sales.
Over the weekend, Sotheby’s held its flagship bi-annual Important Watches Sale as well as the Treasures of Time auction in Geneva. Both sales combined fetched a total of 20,135,400 CHF (approx .$22.9 million USD), setting the best results for the auction house in a decade. Not only that, Sotheby’s also made four world records with two Patek Philippe references, one Cartier Tank and a Rolex Coin watch.
Sold for 3.36 million CHF (around $3.82 million USD), this unique Patek Philippe Ref. 1563 is now the most expensive iteration of the model that’s ever sold at an auction. Touted by Sotheby’s as “the epitome of rarity,” with only two other known variants. Encased in 18k yellow gold with a silvered dial, split-second chronograph and luminous Breguet numerals, this time-teller features an engraved caseback that hints at its history of past owners.
Marking a world record for a Patek Philippe Ref. 2499 with a black dial, this Third Series wristwatch closed at 2.28 million CHF ($2.59 million USD). Housed in yellow gold, it’s a perpetual calendar chronograph equipped with moonphases and a lacquered dial. It’s also the only known third-series 2499J yellow hold example that features a black dial, making it a highly sought-after yet rare timepiece.
The yellow gold Cartier London Tank Oblique from the ‘70s was sold at 168,000 CHF (around $19,150 USD), which far exceeded its initial estimation of 30,000 – 60,000 CHF ($34,196 – $68,393 USD). Meanwhile, the Rolex Coin watch “50 Pesos” by the reference number 3612 was sold at 84,000 CHF (around $95,750 USD). A rare, limited and truly unusual model, the timepiece arrives in the shape of an 1821-1947 dated 50 peso gold coin, which opens up to reveal a Cellini dial in a matching gilt.
