Phillips Geneva Watch Auction XXIII Sets Record as Highest-Grossing Watch Auction in History
A landmark moment in modern watch auctions
Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo has once again reshaped the global watch market, achieving the highest-grossing watch auction in history during the Geneva Watch Auction: XXIII. The Spring 2026 season not only broke previous records from 2021 and 2025, but also marked a historic milestone as The Geneva Spring Season (March Online / May Live) surpassed the USD 100 million mark (CHF 78M / EUR 85M) for the first time in watch auction history.
- Sale total: CHF 74,846,995 / USD 96,328,083 / EUR 81,732,919
- 224 of 225 Lots sold
- 43 World records
- 14 watches above CHF 1 million
This landmark result confirms the continued strength of the global high-end watch market, driven by rarity, provenance, and increasing demand for both vintage icons and modern independents.
Lot 27 – Patek Philippe Ref. 2523 “South America”
One of the most important world-time wristwatches ever created, the Ref. 2523 stands as a masterpiece of mid-century horology. Its cloisonné enamel dial depicting South America and dual-crown system make it one of the most desirable Patek Philippe references ever produced. This example achieved a world record for this reference, confirming its legendary status among collectors.
| 18k yellow gold |
| 1953 |
| 36 mm |
| Manual-wind Cal. 12”’400 HU |
| Cloisonné enamel dial |
| Estimate: In excess of CHF 5,000,000 |
| Sold for: CHF 7,961,000 |
Lot 6 – F.P. Journe Chronomètre à Résonance “Souscription No. 18”
A foundational model in F.P. Journe’s modern history, this early “Souscription” piece explores the principle of resonance between two regulating systems, one of the brand’s most important technical innovations. This example achieved a world record for the model, highlighting strong demand for early Journe production pieces.
| Platinum and 18k pink gold |
| Circa 2000 |
| 38 mm |
| Manual-wind Cal. 1499 |
| Dual resonance escapements |
| Estimate: CHF 450,000 – 900,000 |
| Sold for: CHF 4,875,000 |
Lot 108 – Louis Richard “Triple Detent Constant Force One Minute Tourbillon Chronometer”
A historic 19th-century scientific chronometer combining a one-minute tourbillon with a constant-force detent escapement. One of the most advanced pocket watches of its era. It achieved a world record for any pocket chronometer ever sold at auction.
| 18k yellow gold |
| Circa 1860 |
| 56 mm |
| One-minute tourbillon |
| Constant-force detent escapement |
| Estimate: CHF 100,000 – 200,000 |
| Sold for: CHF 3,968,000 |
Lot 144 – Patek Philippe Ref. 6002G-010 Sky Moon Tourbillon
One of the most complex wristwatches ever created by Patek Philippe, combining astronomical complications, minute repeater, perpetual calendar, sky chart, and cloisonné enamel artistry.
| 18k white gold |
| 2018 |
| 44 mm |
| Tourbillon, perpetual calendar, minute repeater, sky chart |
| Double-sided cloisonné enamel dial |
| Estimate: CHF 2,000,000 – 4,000,000 |
| Sold for: CHF 3,242,000 |
Lot 36 – Akrivia AK-06
A modern independent masterpiece from Rexhep Rexhepi, showcasing exceptional finishing, mechanical refinement, and a zero-reset seconds function. This result confirmed a world record for Akrivia / Rexhep Rexhepi at auction.
| Stainless steel |
| Circa 2018 |
| 41 mm |
| Manual-wind AK-06 calibre |
| Power reserve & zero-reset seconds |
| Estimate: CHF 350,000 – 700,000 |
| Sold for: CHF 3,000,000 |
Lot 137 – Louis Audemars & Co. “La Royale” Super Complication
An exceptionally complex 19th-century pocket watch featuring multiple high complications including minute repeater, perpetual calendar, chronograph, split-seconds, grande & petite sonnerie, and astronomical functions.
| 18k yellow gold |
| 1878 |
| 60 mm |
| Multi-complication pocket watch (sonnerie, perpetual calendar, chronograph) |
| Estimate: CHF 400,000 – 800,000 |
| Sold for: CHF 2,516,000 |
Lot 149 – F.P. Journe Chronomètre à Résonance “Pisa”
A rare limited edition created for Pisa, showcasing F.P. Journe’s signature dual-oscillator resonance system.
| Platinum |
| Circa 2009 |
| 40 mm |
| Manual-wind Cal. 1499.3 |
| Dual resonance escapement |
| Estimate: CHF 450,000 – 900,000 |
| Sold for: CHF 2,334,500 |
Lot 128 – F.P. Journe Octa Chronographe “Straight Côtes de Genève”
An extremely rare early platinum chronograph featuring a brass movement and distinctive straight Côtes de Genève finishing. This reference achieved a world record for this configuration, underlining its rarity.
| Platinum |
| 2001 |
| 38 mm |
| Automatic Cal. 1300 |
| Flyback chronograph |
| Estimate: CHF 150,000 – 300,000 |
| Sold for: CHF 1,714,500 |
Lot 65 – Greubel Forsey x Philippe Dufour x Michel Boulanger “Naissance d’Une Montre 1”
A landmark collaboration between three masters of independent watchmaking, this fully hand-finished tourbillon represents one of the most ambitious horological projects ever completed. It achieved a world record for the Naissance d’Une Montre series at auction.
| 18k white gold |
| Circa 2016 |
| 45 mm |
| Hand-finished mechanical movement |
| Limited edition: 11 pieces |
| Estimate: CHF 400,000 – 800,000 |
| Sold for: CHF 1,651,000 |
Lot 208 – F.P. Journe Tourbillon Souverain à Remontoir d’Égalité
An early and highly important F.P. Journe tourbillon, featuring a remontoir d’égalité constant-force system and early production aesthetics.
| Platinum |
| 2003 |
| 38 mm |
| Manual-wind Cal. 1498 |
| Tourbillon with remontoir d’égalité |
| Estimate: CHF 350,000 – 700,000 |
| Sold for: CHF 1,524,000 |
Lot 24 – Agassiz Watch Co. “Victory Watch – Charles de Gaulle”
A historically significant world-time pocket watch created for Charles de Gaulle, featuring cloisonné enamel decoration and a “Victory” motif commemorating WWII.
| 18k yellow gold |
| 1945 |
| 46 mm |
| World-time pocket watch |
| Cloisonné enamel dial |
| Estimate: CHF 300,000 – 600,000 |
| Sold for: CHF 1,460,500 |
Lot 138 – Paul Ditisheim “Minute Detent Escapement Tourbillon”
A major chronometric achievement from Paul Ditisheim, featuring a detent escapement tourbillon and historical links to Kew Observatory precision testing. This example achieved a world record for the brand at auction, reinforcing renewed collector interest in scientific horology.
| 18k yellow gold |
| 1903 |
| 56 mm |
| Tourbillon with detent escapement |
| Estimate: CHF 60,000 – 120,000 |
| Sold for: CHF 1,270,000 |
Lot 229 – Cartier Mystery Clock
A museum-grade example of Cartier’s iconic Mystery Clock concept, combining rock crystal, gemstones, enamel, and gold into one of horology’s most artistic creations.
| Rock crystal, agate, gold, enamel |
| 1924 |
| 220 mm height |
| Mechanical mystery movement |
| Estimate: CHF 600,000 – 1,200,000 |
| Sold for: CHF 1,219,200 |
Lot 26 – Audemars Piguet Ref. 5503
A rare and historically important triple calendar wristwatch combining moonphase indication with mid-century design elegance. Only a handful were produced.
| Stainless steel & 14k pink gold |
| 1942 |
| 36 mm |
| Triple calendar + moonphase |
| Estimate: CHF 400,000 – 800,000 |
| Sold for: CHF 1,092,200 |
Final Thoughts
The Geneva Watch Auction XXIII confirms a historic moment for the global watch market. With 43 world records, 14 million-franc lots, and the highest-grossing result in auction history, Phillips continues to define the upper end of collectible horology.
The results highlight a market increasingly driven by rarity, historical significance, and independent watchmaking excellence with strong demand across both vintage masterpieces and contemporary icons.
For more information, please visit the official Phillips website.
Explore the releases of the Watches & Wonders 2026.
