Watch auction exceeds US$100 million for the first time in history! F.P. Journe dominates, Patek Philippe and Cartier set records

The top watch collection market has set a new record. Phillips recently held the "Watch Collection - Geneva XXIV" auction in Geneva, Switzerland. The total transaction volume exceeded US$112 million, setting a record of exceeding US$100 million for the first time in the history of watch auctions. All 217 lots were sold, setting 24 world auction records in one fell swoop, demonstrating the strong appeal of rare timepieces in the collection market.

The most eye-catching work in this auction was won by the independent watchmaking brand F.P. Journe. The Chronomètre à Résonance "Régence" platinum watch made in 2002, with its unique shiny rose gold hand-engraved dial, was finally sold for 8.68 million Swiss francs, approximately US$10.58 million, after fierce competition, setting a new world auction record for this model. A total of 13 F.P. Journe timepieces were on the market this time, with a total transaction price of 31.8 million Swiss francs. Among them, the Tokyo store version of the Chronomètre à Résonance "Tokyo Boutique" made in 2007 was also sold for 6.14 million Swiss francs, which shows F.P. Journe's weight in the top collection market.

The major watchmaking manufacturer with a long history also delivered outstanding results. Patek Philippe's 1945 model 1436 split-seconds chronograph watch, one of only two known pieces that retains the original stainless steel case and dial configuration, was sold for 6.26 million Swiss francs, setting a new auction record for a split-seconds chronograph watch. Cartier set a new brand high with the "Portico" colonnaded mystery clock No. 4 made in 1924. This work is not only one of only six Portico mystery clocks in the world, but also the only version equipped with a hexagonal crystal dial. It was finally sold for 4.81 million Swiss francs.

Watchmaker Philippe Dufour's Simplicity platinum watch was sold for 1.96 million Swiss francs, and Voutilainen's Vingt-8 Inversé tantalum watch was sold for 1.52 million Swiss francs. Rare and antique Rolex watches were also favored. A Stelline model 6062 gold watch made around 1952 was sold for 2.33 million Swiss francs.