Auction Phillips to Host Third Charity Auction in Support of the Pierre Amstutz Fund

On Saturday, 6 September 2025, Phillips, in collaboration with Bacs & Russo, will host a charity auction during the 2025 Geneva Watch Days in support of the Pierre Amstutz Fund, a non-profit organisation dedicated to assisting apprentices at the Geneva School of Watchmaking. Now in its third consecutive year, this charity auction has become a fixture on the Geneva Watch Days calendar and a symbol of solidarity within the watchmaking community.

The auction will take place inside the official Geneva Watch Days pavilion at La Rotonde du Mont Blanc, starting at 6:30 PM, and attendance will be by invitation only. Led by Phillips’ Senior Consultant and auctioneer Aurel Bacs, the sale will present a carefully curated selection of unique pieces and exceptional experiences donated by watch brands and partners of the Geneva Watch Days organisation. No watches will be auctioned, and 100% of the proceeds will go to the Pierre Amstutz Fund.

Founded in 1824 – and locally known as the "École d’Horlogerie de Genève" – the Geneva School of Watchmaking is the oldest watchmaking school in Switzerland and one of the most prestigious institutions of its kind in the world. Among its alumni are some of the most renowned contemporary watchmakers, including Christophe Claret, Roger Dubuis, Franck Muller, and Rexhep Rexhepi. The school recently relocated to a state-of-the-art facility in Plan-les-Ouates, Geneva’s watchmaking hub, home to prestigious names such as Patek Philippe, Rolex, Vacheron Constantin, and Laurent Ferrier.

The Pierre Amstutz Fund was established in memory of the school’s former director and aims to support apprentices facing financial difficulties in completing their training under proper conditions. Beyond covering material needs, the fund also works to foster a sense of community within the school, strengthen bonds between students and teachers, and support initiatives promoting careers in watchmaking and micromechanics. It also facilitates mentorship from alumni, ensuring that knowledge is passed on to future generations.

This initiative reflects the deep ties between Phillips and the world of watchmaking. In addition to its renown for record-breaking auctions of rare collector’s watches, Phillips plays an active role in supporting the craft and culture of horology. In 2024 alone, Phillips helped raise more than USD 13.5 million for charitable causes.

Over the past decade, Phillips has hosted some of the most prominent charity events in the watch world, such as Only Watch (2015), Time For Art (2022 and 2024), and the 2025 sale of 11 unique timepieces for the Philippe and Elisabeth Dufour Foundation. The house has also organised several high-profile museum-quality exhibitions.

Thanks to the generosity of watch brands and collectors, the Geneva Watch Days charity auction has raised over CHF 100,000 in each of the past two years. This year, the goal remains the same: to help future watchmakers continue their studies, complete their training, and carry this craft forward.

For more information visit Phillips official website.