Phillips Results: The Geneva Watch Auction: XVI
Geneva – 6 November 2022 – Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo achieves a white glove sale, selling 100% of the lots offered in The Geneva Watch Auction: XVI, resulting in a grand total of CHF 44,979,370 / $45,073,827 / €45,249,246, more than doubling the pre-sale estimate of CHF 19.9 to 37.5 million. Held over two days on 5 and 6 November, the global watch community participated from across 75 countries, with more than 300 collectors contributing in person to the electric energy in the saleroom at La Réserve Hotel, alongside 1,650 bidders competing online. A total number of 226 exceptional watches of the highest quality were offered and sold.
The star lot was the unique Spring Case Tourbillon in yellow gold by George Daniels, the founding father of independent watchmaking. After an intense three-minute bidding war, the watch soared above its pre-sale estimate of CHF 1 million, eventually selling to a bidder in the room for CHF 4,083,500. This marks the highest price ever achieved for a wristwatch by a British maker but also the second highest price achieved by an independent watchmaker – a true milestone in the market. Daniels only made two unique wristwatches for his own personal use; one of these being this exact novel double-dialled spring case watch with one-minute tourbillon and calendar, completed in 1992.
The momentum for George Daniels continued, with the highly anticipated yellow gold Anniversary limited to 35 pieces selling for CHF 693,000 / USD 694,455, and the superb yellow gold Millennium limited to 48 pieces selling for CHF 828,600.
Another star lot of the sale was the unique A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Chronograph “Hampton Court Edition”. The energy in the saleroom was electrified as a nine-minute bidding war took the watch to new heights, achieving CHF 1,058,500 and a world auction record for any A. Lange & Söhne watch at auction. The proceeds are going to The Prince’s Trust, including buyer’s premium.
Fetching a world auction record for the model was the exceptional Philippe Dufour Simplicity in white gold, which eventually sold for CHF 1,022,200. With a case/dial configuration that has never been seen on the market before, this wristwatch is a grail for any heeled watch collector, bearing slate grey dial, full pink gold Breguet numerals and pink gold hands.
For many years, Phillips has been a proponent of independent watchmaking and, once again, offered a wide selection of rare, hard-to-find creations from these incredible artisans. Numerous impressive results were achieved for prestigious independent makers such as F.P. Journe, Kari Voutilainen, Vianney Halter, Christian Klings, MB&F, Urwerk, and prototypes from Grönefeld and De Bethune.
A unique Zenith x Voutilainen x Phillips caliber 135-O wristwatch sold for CHF 315,000 with full proceeds going to charity.
Alexandre Ghotbi, Head of Watches, Continental Europe and Middle East and Tiffany To, Watch Specialist and Head of Sale, commented: “The Geneva Watch Auction: XVI celebrated not only the pinnacle of independent watchmaking, with the incredible results achieved by the trio of George Daniels wristwatches, let by the Spring Case Tourbillon selling for more than CHF 4 million, but also attested of the incredible appetite of the watch community for rare, high quality collectible vintage and contemporary pieces that reflect horological history. Speaking of history, the Geneva Watch Auction: XVI is, from our perception, but also from what we know of the more extended watch community: the sale with the most variety in terms of brands, styles, complications, designs and relevance. A true milestone for the industry.”
The Geneva Watch Auction: XVI
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