This Vintage Patek Philippe Just Sold for a Record $17.6 Million at Phillips Landmark Watch Auction

Phillips celebrated a decade’s worth of watch auctions in a fittingly memorable fashion. The auction house, in partnership with Bacs & Russo, held a landmark sale at the Hotel President in Geneva over the weekend, during which multiple records were set. The two-day, white-glove event, aptly titled Decade One, netted $83 million—the highest total for any watch auction in history. A total of 1,886 registered bidders from 72 countries participated in the sale, with 800 collectors and enthusiasts attending in person. All 200 lots were sold, with an average lot value of 322,000 Swiss francs (approximately $399,000 at the current exchange rate). Twelve watches sold for over 1 million francs ($1.2 million). “Every bid, every conversation, and every person who joined us—whether in the room, online, or on the phone—represents a shared passion for watchmaking and a belief in what we do,” Alexandre Ghotbi and Tiffany To of Phillips said in a statement. “Over the years, Phillips has grown into much more than an auction platform; it has become a true hub for collectors, enthusiasts, and friends from around the world.” The undisputed star of the sale was a Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar Chronograph (Ref. 1518) from 1943. This was the first serially produced watch to combine a chronograph and perpetual calendar, making it a true standout in the history of horology. Patek introduced the model in yellow gold in 1941, releasing just 281 examples in a 13-year production run. This Ref. 1518 is one of the only four stainless steel examples known to exist and the first of that quartet to be produced. It soared past the pre-sale estimate of 8 million francs ($9.9 million), hammering down for 14.2 million francs ($17.6 million) and becoming the most expensive vintage Patek wristwatch ever sold at auction. It wasn’t the only Patek to fetch seven figures, either. A pink-on-pink perpetual calendar chronograph (Ref. 1518) from 1947 sold for 3.6 million francs ($4.4 million), a possibly unique gold perpetual calendar (Ref. 2438/1) from 1954 achieved 889,000 francs ($1.1 million), and a gold perpetual calendar chronograph (Ref. 2499/100) with a “Gübelin” signature on the dial realized 1.3 million francs ($1.6 million). A platinum Patek (Ref. 3424/1) designed by Gilbert Albert in the 1960s also sold for 812,800 francs ($1 million), setting a new world record for an Albert-designed wristwatch. On the Rolex front, a 1971 “Paul Newman” Daytona (Ref. 6263) “Oyster Sotto” sold for 1.4 million francs ($1.7 million) and a 1967 “Paul Newman” Daytona (Ref. 6239) “Golden Pagoda” hammered down for 1 million francs ($1.3 million), marking a new record for the configuration. Pieces from independent watchmakers fetched impressive sums, too, with the unique Ferdinand Berthoud “Naissance d’Une Montre 3” selling for a record 1.3 million francs ($1.5 million) and a F.P.Journe Chronomètre à Résonance Souscription No. 2 achieving 3.3 million francs ($4.1 million). Other highlights include a unique Urban Jürgensen Minute Repeating Perpetual Calendar Tourbillon that sold for a record 635,000 francs ($788,000) and a prototype Vacheron Constantin Saltarello Ref. 43041 that achieved 120,650 francs ($150,000). Just imagine what the next anniversary auction will bring. ## 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.