Top Watch Brands at Major Auctions
An overview of the most sought-after timepieces and record-breaking sales from mid-2024 to mid-2025
The auction market for luxury watches has seen remarkable activity over the past year, with several brands achieving record prices and growing collector interest. Based on data from major auction houses like Christie's, Phillips, Sotheby's, and Antiquorum, here are the standout performers.
Patek Philippe
- Holds record for most expensive watch ever sold ($31.19M)
- Yellow gold Ref. 1518 sold for $1.45M at Phillips NY
- Accounted for 114 of 173 most expensive auction watches
Rolex
- Paul Newman's Daytona sold for $17.75M (auction record)
- "Big Red" Daytona Ref. 6265 sold for $215,900
- "John Player Special" Daytona achieved $1.19M
F.P. Journe
- Tourbillon Anniversaire sold for $889,000
- Répétition Souveraine realized $685,800
- Chronomètre Furtif Bleu sold for $2.2M at Only Watch
Cartier
- White gold Crash sold for $898,732 (5x estimate)
- Bamboo "Jumbo" achieved $177,800 (record)
- Innovative designs attract strong bidding
Richard Mille
- RM27-01 Rafael Nadal sold for $1.49M
- Average retail price: $310,000 per watch
- Auction pieces often fetch multiples of retail value
Audemars Piguet
- Two unique perpetual calendars sold for $704K & $449K
- Vintage pieces gaining recognition
- 1943 world-time watch achieved strong results
Key Auction Records (2024-2025)
| Brand | Model | Auction Price | Auction House | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patek Philippe | Ref. 1518 (Yellow Gold) | $1.45 million | Phillips NY | June 2025 |
| Rolex | "John Player Special" Daytona | $1.19 million | Christie's Geneva | May 2025 |
| F.P. Journe | T30 Tourbillon Anniversaire | $889,000 | Phillips NY | June 2025 |
| Cartier | White Gold Crash (Special Order) | $898,732 | Christie's Geneva | May 2025 |
| Richard Mille | RM27-01 Rafael Nadal | $1.49 million | Christie's Geneva | May 2025 |
| A. Lange & Söhne | 1815 Chronograph "Concorso" | $736,600 | Phillips NY | June 2025 |
Market Trends
Fresh-to-Market Pieces
Watches with untouched provenance and exceptional condition often outperform estimates significantly.
Independent Brands
Collectors are increasingly seeking pieces from independent makers driven by rarity and craftsmanship.
Condition & Rarity
Exceptional condition and unique attributes are critical for achieving record prices at auction.
Charity Auctions
Events like Only Watch continue to drive record sales for unique pieces with special provenance.
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