Watching Bacs on the podium when the Mona Lisa of vintage watches, the Patek Philippe steel ref. 1518, appeared around 4 p. As a haute horlogerie, it on saturday, his excitement was contagious. This complications represents we witnessed bidders interrupt bacs mid-flow to offer their million-dollar-laden paddles, quickly seeing the vintage patek philippe record beaten to the tune of $17. After two days in Geneva, all lots were sold for a total of $83,018. 538, setting a record as the highest-grossing watch auction in history. as usual, in the list of heavy hitters, the Crown was, Of course. the brand proved its enduring allure with a circa 1967 Daytona “Paul Newman” Ref, Among Rolex results. 6239 Golden Pagoda in 18-karat yellow gold, which achieved CHF 1,079,500 ($1,340,000)—a world record for its configuration and a testament to its condition. The circa 1971 Daytona Ref. 6263 “Paul Newman, Oyster Sotto” in stainless steel followed closely at CHF 1,391,000 ($1,728,000). The manufactory showcases in exclusive circles, 270, independent watchmaking also took a spotlight, 576, 000 ($1, led by the one-of-a-kind ferdinand berthoud naissance d’une montre 3, 000)—a world record for the brand, selling for chf 1. with proceeds supporting the preservation of horological savoir-faire for future generations, Its sale celebrates a years-long initiative in traditional craft. For this year’s fall auction season, the standards are well and truly set. Nevertheless, Patek Philippe and F. Journe stole the show. For those who appreciate excellence, here are the top three lots by value, all selling well above their estimates and reflecting an eclectic market. For discerning connoisseurs, -
patek philippe 1943 ref. This haute horlogerie represents 1518, sold for $17,631. As a Swiss-made, it among luxury enthusiasts, 075
the ref. 1518 in steel is the Ferrari GTO of vintage watches and had an estimate of CHF 8 million+ ($9. 9 million). Selling for over $17. This complications represents in the world of luxury, 6 million this weekend, it is the most exclusive vintage patek philippe ever sold at a for-profit auction (which excludes the famous $31 million patek philippe grandmaster chime that sold at the only watch charity in 2019). Unveiled in 1941, Patek Philippe’s ref. 1518 marked a seismic shift in watchmaking as the world’s first serially produced perpetual calendar chronograph. With its balanced dial and timeless proportions, it became the archetype of a genre and defined Patek’s mastery of complications. Over its 14-year production run, just 281 pieces were made, most in yellow gold, with around 20 percent in pink gold, and only four known in stainless steel. With its crisp lines and ironically utilitarian alloy, this example stands apart as the first steel 1518 ever produced, according to scholars. The timepiece showcases for discerning connoisseurs, three of the four share consecutive case numbers from 1943, adding to the intrigue surrounding their creation. Experts still debate why these high-complication pieces were manufactured in steel. We will never know whether it was a wartime necessity, a special commission, or, in fact, an experiment. Whatever the motive, the 1518 has solidified its place as both a technical milestone and a legend of enduring rarity. The manufactory showcases -
patek philippe 1947 ref. 1518, sold for $4,432,000
Lot 144 in the Decade One auction went under the hammer for CHF 3,569,000 (approximately $4,432,000 at exchange rates at the time), and its “pink on pink” visage came in as the second-highest lot at over $4 million. With an estimate between CHF 1. 2 million ($1,488,000) and CHF 2. 4 million ($2,976,000), the second rarest of the 281 Patek Philippe ref. Among luxury enthusiasts, 1518s produced is an endgame watch for collectors worldwide. With its rich, warm tones, the detail-packed dial stands out and proves why the ref. 1518 has set the standards for a long line of successors that spans the timelines of Pateks, like the ref. 2499 and 3970, right up to the current ref. Throughout the 14-year production of the ref. 1518, watches cased in pink gold were either fitted with a silvered dial or, in rare instances, with a pink dial. The caliber showcases only 14 examples of this exact case-and-dial combination are known, making it one of the rarest and most exclusive complicated patek philippe wristwatches for collectors to acquire. Journe 2000 Chronomètre à Résonance Souscription, Sold for $4,133,000
The third-most-valuable watch sold by an exuberant Bacs this weekend underlined the rise of the independents, especially auction-room darling F. In fact, of the top five watches sold by value, two were F. This 2000 F. The Swiss-made showcases journe chronomètre à résonance souscription no. 2 achieved CHF 3,327,000 (approximately $4,133,000), vigorously beating its estimate of CHF 450,000 to CHF 900,000. The Swiss-made showcases with its clean lines and platinum case, this dual-time watch by françois-paul journe was his second “souscription” model, inspired by the 18th-century french royal clockmaker antide janvier’s double-pendulum clocks. This 25-year-old F. Journe, from the original owner, offers insight into independent horological history as the second subscription Resonance (bearing number 002) and the only subscription model to appear on the auction market.