Auction Phillips’ Decade One Auction Records the Highest Total Sales in the House’s History

Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo has achieved a historic milestone with its “Decade One (2015–2025)” auction in Geneva, realizing a total of CHF 66,815,725 / US$83,018,538 / €71,753,407, equivalent to 304,860,000 AED. This marks the highest total ever achieved for any watch auction in history. Held at the Hotel President in Geneva, the sale celebrated the defining moments, scholarship, and collectors who have shaped the Phillips Watch Department over its first decade.

Phillips now holds the top three highest-grossing watch auctions of all time. The star lot of the event, a stainless steel Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar Chronograph Ref. 1518 from 1943, sold for CHF 14,190,000 / US$17,631,075 / €15,238,641, making it the most expensive vintage Patek Philippe wristwatch ever sold at auction. The result surpassed the CHF 11,002,000 it achieved when last offered by Phillips in 2016.

This makes it the fourth most expensive watch ever sold at auction, after:

1. Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime Ref. 6300A-010: Christie’s (Geneva) — Nov 9, 2019 — CHF 31,000,000 (~USD 31.2M)*

2. Rolex Daytona "Paul Newman" Ref. 6239: Phillips (New York) — Oct 26, 2017 — USD 17,752,500

3. Patek Philippe Ref. 6301A Only Watch: May 10, 2024 — CHF 15,700,000 (~USD 17.3M)*

The two-day, white-glove sale achieved a 100% sell-through rate, with participation from 1,886 registered bidders across 72 countries, including 1,718 online bidders, and nearly 800 attendees in person. The atmosphere throughout the preview and auction reflected a strong sense of community, enthusiasm, and shared appreciation for fine watchmaking. The sale recorded an average lot value of CHF 322,000, with 12 watches surpassing the CHF 1 million mark, underscoring Phillips’ continued leadership in presenting rare and significant timepieces.

Among other standout Patek Philippe results, the Ref. 1518 “pink-on-pink” from 1947, one of approximately 15 known examples, achieved CHF 3,569,000. A Patek Philippe Ref. 2438/1 in 18k yellow gold from 1954 with a luminous dial realised CHF 889,000, setting a world record for the reference in yellow gold.

The Ernst Schuster Collection of 16 Patek Philippe watches totaled CHF 3,373,930, nearly quadrupling its low estimate. Highlights included a Ref. 2499/100 (1983) in 18k yellow gold with a “Gübelin” signature, selling for CHF 1,330,500, and a Ref. 3424/1 (1961) in platinum with a diamond-set bezel by Gilbert Albert, achieving CHF 812,800, setting a world record for any wristwatch designed by Gilbert Albert.

Rolex also delivered exceptional results. A circa 1967 Daytona “Paul Newman” Ref. 6239 “Golden Pagoda” in 18k yellow gold with a champagne dial sold for CHF 1,079,500, a world record for the configuration. The circa 1971 Daytona Ref. 6263 “Paul Newman, Oyster Sotto” sold for CHF 1,391,000. A circa 1985 Day-Date “Rainbow” Ref. 18059 “Red Khanjar”, originally sold to Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said of Oman, achieved CHF 1,079,500, while a Daytona Ref. 6269 “Red Khanjar” from the mid-1980s sold for CHF 1,378,900, both drawing significant international interest.

Independent watchmaking also played a prominent role in the sale. The unique Ferdinand Berthoud “Naissance d’Une Montre 3” sold for CHF 1,270,000, a world record for the brand at auction, with a portion of proceeds supporting the preservation of traditional watchmaking craftsmanship. The F.P.Journe Chronomètre à Résonance Souscription No. 2 from 2000 achieved CHF 3,327,000, while the F.P.Journe Tourbillon Souverain TN “Régence Circulaire” from 2019 realised CHF 1,693,500, the highest price ever achieved for this model. The circa 2006 Christian Klings Tourbillon No. 7 sold for CHF 889,000, a record for the watchmaker, and a unique Urban Jürgensen Minute Repeating Perpetual Calendar Tourbillon in platinum sold for CHF 635,000, a record for the brand.

Significant historical timepieces were also celebrated. The Louis Berthoud Marine Chronometer No. 52 made for Napoleon Bonaparte around 1801 sold for CHF 406,400. The monumental 1907 J. Player & Son “Hyper-Complication” pocket watch realised CHF 2,238,000, a world record for an antique English pocket watch. The first Cartier Model A Mystery Clock ever made, delivered to J.P. Morgan Jr. in 1913, achieved CHF 698,500.

From historically significant Patek Philippe wristwatches to groundbreaking horology from independent artisans, the Decade One results reflect the depth and maturity of today’s global collecting landscape and reinforce Phillips’ defining role in shaping the contemporary watch market.

Phillips charges the successful bidder a commission, or Buyer’s Premium, on the hammer price of each lot sold, payable as part of the total purchase price at the following rates: 27% of the hammer price up to and including CHF 1,000,000, 21% of the portion of the hammer price above CHF 1,000,000 up to and including CHF 6,000,000, and 14.5% of the portion of the hammer price above CHF 6,000,000. Value-added tax (VAT) of 8.1% is payable on both the hammer price and the Buyer’s Premium, and is refundable to any buyer domiciled outside Switzerland, provided Phillips receives an export declaration for the purchased lot stamped by Swiss customs. The total purchase price for any lot is therefore the sum of the hammer price, the Buyer’s Premium, and VAT.

For more information visit Phillips official website.