5 Highlights From Phillips’ Upcoming Geneva Watch Auction

By Annie Davidson Watson | October 10, 2024

On Nov. 9 and 10, Phillips is hosting the Geneva Watch Auction: XX, “a celebration of watchmaking and horology in all its greatness,” according to a statement from the auction house.

The sale, to be held at the Hotel President Geneva, will feature over 130 lots of novel and notable timepieces from the 20th and 21st centuries.

“Our catalog serves as more than just a guide—it is an invitation to explore the intricate world of horology, where precision engineering and artistic vision converge,” said a Phillips statement attributed to Alexandre Ghotbi, head of watches for continental Europe and the Middle East, and Tiffany To, head of sale. “It is a journey shaped by the expertise and passion of the collectors, the specialists, and the watchmakers who share a love for these exceptional timepieces.

“This auction is more than a sale—it is the result of countless hours of dedication, research, and respect for the beauty of what makes a watch truly timeless.”

One prime lot is the Cartier London Crash pictured at top. Cartier has produced the model in very limited quantities since 1967. This watch, in 18k yellow gold, is from 1988 and estimated to sell for $474,000–$948,000.

The watch with the highest presale estimate is the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona above, expected to achieve between $948,000 and $1,900,000. Highly regarded among collectors, the 18k yellow gold timepiece bears a rare “Paul Newman Lemon” dial and is excellent condition. Further, it comes with its original guarantee, dated Feb. 18, 1974, and stamped by a former retailer in Zurich called Brunati.

Another highlight is the Patek Philippe ref. 2499/100 below, produced in the debut year (1980) of the series. First auctioned in 2015 by its original owner who had never worn it, the watch is being offered by its current owner in the same untouched condition—it remains as pristine as when it left the Patek Philippe workshop in 1980.

A standout for its automatic movement with a triple calendar and moon phase, Rolex’s ref. 6062 is one of the watchmaker’s most complicated designs, and thus one of its most coveted vintage models. The watch below is one of the rare versions with “dagger” numerals (also called “lys” or “drop”)—fewer than 10 such pieces have ever been seen on the market.

Also hitting the Geneva Watch block with one of the highest presale values is this Patek Philippe ref. 1518 from 1951 (below). This model, introduced in 1941, was the world’s first serially produced perpetual calendar chronograph, setting a new standard in horology. Only 281 pieces were made before production ceased in 1954, and most were in yellow gold. This watch, however, is pink gold, making it even rarer.