The autumn watch auction season opened strongly in the first week of October, with independent watchmakers taking the biggest headlines. Haute Time rounded up the results on 9 October.
The headline results
- Phillips New York: a stainless steel Voutilainen 28Sport, number 5 of 8, sold for $1,016,000 against an estimate of $120,000 to $240,000. All 88 lots in the sale found buyers.
- Sotheby's Paris: a Rolex Daytona "Paul Newman" ref. 6241 from around 1968, described as recently discovered in a private European collection, reached €448,000 after 15 bids. A platinum F.P. Journe Centigraphe Souverain made €307,200.
- Christie's Hong Kong: the online sale totalled about HKD 23.1 million, led by an Eska pink gold watch with a cloisonné enamel dial.
- Bonhams New York: an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak "Mini Frosted Gold" made $76,700.
What it tells us
Two patterns stand out. First, small-series independents such as Voutilainen and F.P. Journe are commanding prices once reserved for the biggest names. Second, fresh-to-market pieces with clear provenance still draw competitive bidding, even in timed online sales.
Still to come
Antiquorum's New York sale on 18 October includes several F.P. Journe pieces, led by a platinum Tourbillon Vertical estimated at $800,000 to $1.4 million, according to Haute Time.
If you are watching a lot, we can help you research it, register to bid and source alternatives privately if the hammer goes too high.
Frequently asked questions
Do auction prices include fees?
The prices above include the buyer's premium unless stated. Hammer prices are lower.
Can Instacoins Concierge bid for me?
We can help you register, research condition and provenance, and set a budget. We can also source comparable watches privately.
Can I settle a watch purchase in crypto?
Yes. We can settle purchases we source in fiat or crypto.
