The autumn auction of important watches realised an outstanding CHF 10,631,401 ($ 8,553,387), the highest total for a watch sale at Sotheby’s Geneva. The top price achieved this afternoon was for a gold perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch with moon phases retailed by Asprey, which sold for CHF 2,204,000 ($ 1,773,206) becoming the most valuable wristwatch ever sold by Sotheby’s.


Lot 325: A perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch, Patek Philippe, retailed by Asprey, 1952


Ronny Wooter, Head of Watches for Sotheby's Geneva commented on the sale: “We are thrilled with today’s results, the highest achieved for a watch sale in Geneva. Beside the top lot - a gold perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch with moon phases retailed by Asprey - which performed extremely well achieving CHF 2,204,000, another exceptional piece signed Patek Philippe, a silver and enamel bird box with three dials, sold for a terrific CHF 1,196,000, well above its pre-sale high estimate of CHF 550,000.”
Alexander Barter, Senior Specialist, International Watches, concluded: “We are delighted with today’s tremendous results, which brings the total for watch auctions at Sotheby’s Geneva to CHF16,674,402 for 2006. This is the highest result ever for our watch sales in this location”.


Lot 263: A perpetual calendar silver and enamel bird box, Patek Philippe

Included amongst the other extraordinary results today were a Patek Philippe chronograph wristwatch from 1927, which sold for CHF 916,000; a gold perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch with registers and moon phases, 1980, which fetched CHF 468,000; a fine white gold automatic perpetual calendar wristwatch with moon-phases which brought CHF 361,600; and a twin dialled wristwatch with bracelet, ref. 3452/1 which achieved CHF 240,000 against a pre-sale estimate of CHF 120,000-180,000. These strong prices demonstrate the continuing demand for timepieces of great quality and Sotheby’s ability to bring fresh and rare pieces to auction.


Source: Sotheby's Geneva

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