Sotheby’s Geneva watch sales set 4 world records

Over the weekend, Sotheby’s held its flagship biennial Important Watches Sale and Treasures of Time auction in Geneva. Both sales combined brought in a total value of CHF 20,135,400 (approximately $22.9 million), representing the best results for the auction house in a decade. In addition, Sotheby’s presented two Patek Philippe references, one Cartier Tank and a Rolex Coin watch, set four world records.

This unique Patek Philippe Ref. was sold for 3.36 million CHF (around 3.82 million US dollars). 1563 is now the most expensive version of the model ever sold at auction. Touted by Sotheby’s as the “quintessence of rarity,” with only two other known variants. This timepiece is clad in 18k yellow gold and features a silver-plated dial, split-seconds chronograph and luminous Breguet numerals. It features an engraved case back indicating the history of previous owners.

A world record for a Patek Philippe Ref. 2499 with a black dial, this third series watch closed at 2.28 million CHF (2.59 million USD). The yellow gold perpetual calendar chronograph features moon phases and a lacquered dial. It is also the only known yellow example of the third series 2499J to feature a black dial, making it a highly desirable but rare timepiece.

The 1970s yellow gold Cartier London Tank Oblique sold for 168,000 CHF (approximately $19,150 USD), far exceeding its original estimate of 30,000 – 60,000 CHF (34,196 – 68,393 USD). Meanwhile, the Rolex Coin watch “50 Pesos” with reference number 3612 was sold for 84,000 CHF (around 95,750 USD). A rare, limited and truly unusual model, the watch comes in the form of a 50 peso gold coin from the years 1821-1947, which when opened reveals a Cellini dial in matching gold plating.