The ‘Important Watches’ auction organised by Sotheby’s in New York on 10 June 2025 featured an exclusive selection of 111 timepieces from the finest watch brands, chosen for their condition, rarity and quality. Total sales, including fees: $20,431,440 USD, representing 100% of the lots offered.
BEST RESULTS
Lot 21: Patek Philippe – Sold by Gobbi Milano: a significant rose gold wristwatch with a chronograph, perpetual calendar and moon phase display. Sold for $4,320,000 USD
Lot 20: Patek Philippe – Sold by Gübelin: a rose gold minute repeater wristwatch. Sold for $1,605,500 USD
Lot 46: Rolex – Stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with bracelet and tropical dial. Sold for $914,400 USD
BEST PERFORMANCES
Lot 14: Patek Philippe, circa 1990 – A skeleton watch with an open dial in yellow gold. 831% difference between the low estimate and the final hammer price (USD 139,700)
Lot 12: Patek Philippe circa 1914 – Sold by Tiffany & Co.: a rare and probably unique open-dial minute repeater in yellow gold, manufactured in 1914 and sold in 1968. 599% difference between the low estimate and the final result (USD 209,550)
Lot 9: Patek Philippe circa 1945 – A rare and refined rose gold wristwatch with scroll-shaped lugs. 408% difference between the reserve and the final hammer price (USD 40,640)
BREAKDOWN BY BRAND
Patek Philippe
Topping the list of the highest-selling items, Patek Philippe achieved the highest total for the sale, amounting to $12,976,540 USD
Rolex
Ranking second in the list of the highest-selling items, Rolex achieved a total of $2,472,690 USD
Audemars Piguet
With a watch that fetched $304,800 USD, Audemars Piguet was the third best-performing brand in this sale, achieving a total of $834,390 USD.
These three brands accounted for a total of $1,628,320 USD, representing 80% of the total sale.
AVERAGE PRICE PER LOT
Given the total number of lots, 111 in total, of which 0 remained unsold, the average price per lot was $184,067 USD
CONCLUSION
This sale has once again demonstrated the dynamism of the auction market; the top three brands were: Patek Philippe, Rolex and Audemars Piguet
