Phillips Sets a New Record for the Most Expensive Patek Philippe Wristwatch Ever Sold at Auction

Bidders seated in the room at Phillips “Watches: Decade One” auction in Geneva today, waited with anticipation for auctioneer Aurel Bacs to get to Lot 23—a Patek Philippe ref. 1518, one of just four known examples in stainless steel. The timepiece had been touted by the house as the “key lot of the year.” So high was the anticipation, that one bidder wouldn’t even let Bacs finish his introduction of the timepiece from the podium. The charismatic auctioneer was clearly pleased, teasing the eager bidder. “What? 8 million? Okay, don’t let me finish,” said Bacs. “From a savvy Chinese collector seated on the aisle, I have 8 million to start. Fair enough, 8 million. I was going to say something so interesting, but you miss it.” Ultimately, the watch missed its mark. It sold for CHF 14.19 million (over $17.8 million), making history as the highest price ever achieved for any Patek Philippe wristwatch at for profit auction (which excludes the Grandmaster Chime Ref. 6300A-010, which sold for a charity for $31.19 million in 2021). It surpassed the previous record set at Phillips in 2016 for the same reference in steel, which sold for over CHF 11 million ($11.4 million). There had been some speculation ahead of the sale that the watch had been doctored. Just a day before the sale, internet sleuth Perezcope, posted an instagram suggesting the hard enamel had been recessed, while pointing out discrepancies in the numerals and so on. Nevertheless, the market has spoken showing that collectors had faith in Phillips and its steel reference 1518. After all, it wouldn’t be a Phillips watch sale without a little hype, a little drama, an antagonist, and a room full of heavyweight disposable income. ## Implicazioni per i Collezionisti di Asset di Lusso Questo sviluppo del mercato evidenzia l'importanza crescente della **gestione digitale degli asset di lusso**. Per i collezionisti e investitori, mantenere documentazione accurata è fondamentale per: ### 📋 **Documentazione Essenziale** - **Richieste di Finanziamento**: Documentazione completa accelera le approvazioni di prestiti garantiti - **Pratiche Assicurative**: Valutazioni aggiornate ottimizzano coperture e risarcimenti - **Pianificazione Successoria**: Inventari dettagliati semplificano il trasferimento patrimoniale - **Analisi di Portfolio**: Tracking digitale permette decisioni d'investimento informate ### 💼 **Vantaggi del Tracking Digitale** La gestione professionale degli asset di lusso attraverso sistemi digitali offre: - ⚡ **Accesso Rapido**: Documentazione istantanea per qualsiasi necessità - 🔒 **Sicurezza**: Backup cloud e crittografia dei dati sensibili - 📈 **Analisi**: Monitoraggio performance e trend di mercato - 🤝 **Professionalità**: Presentazione standardizzata per advisor e istituzioni ### 🎯 **Call to Action** Per ottimizzare la gestione del tuo patrimonio di asset di lusso: 1. Digitalizza tutta la documentazione esistente 2. Implementa un sistema di tracking professionale 3. Mantieni valutazioni aggiornate regolarmente 4. Prepara la documentazione per ogni eventualità finanziaria Il **Luxury Asset Tracker** offre tutti gli strumenti necessari per una gestione patrimoniale professionale, essenziale nell'attuale panorama finanziario.