

The “Important Watches” auction organized by Sotheby’s in New York on June 15, 2026, featured an exclusive selection of 209 timepieces from the finest watch brands, chosen for their condition, rarity, and quality. Total sales, including fees: $22 045 440 USD, representing 92% of the lots offered.
BEST RESULTS
Lot 14: F. P. Journe – A limited-edition, semi-skeletonized platinum wristwatch with a traveling hour and minute display and a power reserve indicator. Sold for $960 000 USD
Lot 13: F. P. Journe – A limited-edition, semi-skeletonized platinum wristwatch with a traveling hour and minute display. Sold for $832 000 USD
Lot 130: Patek Philippe – A yellow gold open-face pocket watch, keyless, with minute repeater and perpetual calendar, featuring equation of time, moon phases, and 24-hour display. Sold for $704 000 USD
BEST PERFORMANCES
Lot 28: Cartier, circa 1968 — Sold in New York: A rare and unusual rectangular ladies’ wristwatch in yellow gold, with bamboo-style lugs and protected horns. 1,660% difference between the low estimate and the final hammer price ($140 800 USD)
Lot 52: Cartier, circa 1929 — A rare cigarette case in yellow gold, enamel, platinum, and diamonds, with a lighter and a watch, dating from 1929. 1,180% difference between the low estimate and the final hammer price ($256 000 USD)
Lot 108: Cartier, circa 0 – A large and extremely rare circular yellow gold wristwatch with concealed lugs and a yellow and rose gold folding clasp. 1,116% difference between the low estimate and the final hammer price ($243 200 USD)
BREAKDOWN BY BRAND
Patek Philippe
Ranking first in the auction’s top prices, Patek Philippe achieved the auction’s highest total of $6 092 800 USD
F. P. Journe
Ranking second in the list of top auction prices, F. P. Journe achieved a total of $4 587 520 USD
Rolex
With a watch that sold for $448,000 USD, Rolex was the third-best-performing brand in this auction, with total sales of $3,948,800 USD
These three brands accounted for total sales of $14 629 120 USD, representing 66% of the auction’s total sales
AVERAGE PRICE PER LOT
Given the total number of lots 209 in all, including 16 unsold lots the average price per lot was $114 225 USD
CONCLUSION
This sale once again demonstrated the vitality of the auction market; notably, the top three brands were: Patek Philippe, F. P. Journe, and Rolex




