AuctionsApr 21, 2022
This Hand-Painted Patek Philippe Nautilus Design Sold for $727K at AuctionWatchesMay 11, 2022
Phillips’ Geneva Watch Auction Was a White Glove Sale
It included watches once owned by human rights advocate Simon Wiesenthal and musician Eric Clapton, both selling for more than $1 million.
Phillips’ recent Geneva watch auction totaled $39.4 million, far exceeding its pre-sale estimated high total of $27.3 million, and was 100 percent sold.
Geneva—Watches are still selling strongly at auction, if Phillips’ recent sale in Geneva is any indication.
Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo said its recent “Geneva Watch Auction: XV” totaled $39.4 million, far exceeding the pre-sale total estimate of $14.7 million to $27.3 million.
Held on May 7 and 8, the watch auction put 196 timepieces on the block, and all of them found a buyer.
Phillips said more than 600 watch collectors gathered at the live event at La Réserve Hotel to participate in person, while 1,800 more bidders competed online.
The top lot of the auction was a Patek Philippe perpetual calendar Ref. 1518 in pink gold with a pink dial, which sold above its pre-sale estimate when it garnered $3.3 million from a phone bidder.
This was followed by a Rolex. Ref. 6239, nicknamed “The Crazy Doc,” which was once owned by musician Eric Clapton, which sold for $1.7 million. It is the only known yellow gold Ref. 6239 with a pulsations dial, Phillips said.
At No. 3 was “The Simon Wiesenthal” watch, which garnered $1.4 million.
The piece was manufactured in 1941 and once owned by human rights champion and Holocaust survivor Simon Wiesenthal. It first appeared on the market in 2007, when his family consigned it to auction.
It is one of only two known Patek Philippe Ref. 1503 watches with a black lacquered dial and Breguet numerals, according to the auction house.
See the Top Lots in Phillips’ Recent Geneva Watch Auction
At left is the sale’s No. 1 lot, a Patek Philippe Ref. 1518, that sold for $3.3 million, and at right is a Rolex Ref. 6239 dubbed “The Crazy Doc,” once owned by musician Eric Clapton and the auction’s No. 2 lot, which garnered $1.7 million.
The auction’s No. 3 lot, this Patek Philippe Ref. 1503 “The Simon Wisenthal” at left, sold for $1.4 million, while the watch at right is the No. 4 lot—a Rolex Ref. 6063 Oyster Chronographe—which garnered $1 million.
At No. 5 in the sale is the watch at left, a Patek Philippe Ref. 5723/1R Nautilus, which sold for $1 million. At right is the lot that followed it in sale results, a Patek Philippe Ref. 5980/1400G Nautilus, which went for $948,000.
Phillips also said F.P. Journe watches performed “extremely well” at the auction, with many models selling for well above their pre-sale estimates, including the F.P. Journe Octa Zadiaque power reserve, which sold for $813,409.
The only example of an Octa Zodiaque in pink gold, the watch was made for the Children Action Foundation in 2005. Phillips will donate the entire buyer’s premium from the sale of the watch in its auction to the charity.
“Geneva Watch Auction: XV” followed The Royal Oak 50th watch auction on May 6, which totaled $22.4 million, bringing the weekend’s total to $61.5 million.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Watches
The Latest
CrimeOct 22, 2026
Jeweler Shot and Killed in His Suburban Cincinnati Store Tara Sinchuri was the owner of Everest Jewels in Fairfield, Ohio, and a father of three. He was found dead in his store on Tuesday.
MajorsOct 22, 2026
Neiman Marcus Has Gifts for the Jewelry Lover Who Has EverythingBespoke experiences from Buccellati and Verdura are on the retailer’s 2026 “Fantasy Gifts” list.
Events & AwardsOct 22, 2026
JIS Fall 2026 Reports Record-Breaking Attendance The number of participants at the fall show was up 12 percent.
Brought to you by
A Diamond Is Forever Launches 2026 Holiday Campaign Championing Natural DiamondsA Diamond Is Forever's holiday campaign reimagines natural diamond icons for a new generation celebrating individuality.
CollectionsOct 22, 2026
Billie Eilish, Finneas Co-Design Collection for John HardyThe Academy and Grammy award-winning siblings have collaborated with John Hardy on a new jewelry line inspired by their personal style.
Weekly QuizOct 15, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
PodcastsOct 21, 2026
Episode 10: This Episode Is Haunted Diana Singer shared the stories of two “cursed” diamonds on this month’s podcast, which was inexplicably riddled with technical issues.
IndependentsOct 21, 2026
Gardner-Collier Jewelry to Close After 9 Decades in BusinessThe family-owned jeweler has three locations across Missouri and Iowa.
Brought to you by
Open an Account, Get $50 Off Your First Order. No Code Needed.Built on Relationships. Refined by Craft.
SourcingOct 21, 2026
Venetia Mines Final Carats Ahead of 2-Year ShutdownThe De Beers-owned diamond mine in South Africa is being put on ice as part of a round of previously announced cost-cutting measures.
CollectionsOct 21, 2026
Helzberg, Nordstrom Carrying New Jewelry Collection From Off-WhiteThe collection centers designs with clean geometric lines, chunky sculptural pieces, and recognizable details from the luxury fashion brand.
SourcingOct 21, 2026
Gemfields’ Mixed-Quality Ruby Auction Earns $52MThe miner said it saw particularly strong prices for larger, fine-quality rubies at the sale.
CrimeOct 20, 2026
Security Guard Charged With Murder in Shooting at Texas MallThe guard opened fire on a man who was smashing a jewelry display case at La Gran Plaza in Fort Worth last week, police said.
IndependentsOct 20, 2026
David Gardner’s Jewelers Unveils Newly Expanded, Revamped ShowroomThe Texas jeweler added 2,000 square feet to its reimagined showroom, complete with a new design studio and an event space.
SourcingOct 20, 2026
The $50M Victoria’s Secret ‘Fantasy Bra’ By The NumbersJacob & Co.'s diamond masterpiece is the most expensive Fantasy Bra ever worn on the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show runway.
CollectionsOct 20, 2026
Mignon Faget’s Collection Chooses Handmade Over AIThe “Atelier” collection was inspired by the tools, rituals, and objects in an artist’s studio as a quiet rebuttal to an automated world.
MajorsOct 19, 2026
The Knot to Acquire Rival Wedding Planning Platform ZolaThe pending acquisition is an “exciting opportunity” for wedding vendors to grow their business, said The Knot Worldwide’s CEO.
SourcingOct 19, 2026
Jewelry Design Competition Show Airs in Thailand"The Secret Gems" features eight Thai jewelry brands paired with a team of young craftspeople who create jewelry together to win challenges.
CollectionsOct 19, 2026
John Hardy Enters the Medallion Chat With Talisman Collection The brand’s “Modern Talisman” capsule collection introduces pendants inspired by the mythology, natural world, and spiritual ethos of Bali.
IndependentsOct 19, 2026
The Stories of 5 Jewelers Celebrating Their Centennials in 2026Independent jewelers from New Mexico to New Jersey answer the question: What has kept your store in business for 100 years?
SurveysOct 16, 2026
How Inflation, Gas Prices Will Affect Holiday Sales The NRF is expecting holiday sales to increase this year, but consumers and retailers alike are facing Grinch-like headwinds.
CollectionsOct 16, 2026
Christina Puchi’s Earrings Hold the UniverseOur Piece of the Week gathers the planets, represented by a variety of colored gemstones, in a pair of 14-karat yellow gold earrings.
IndependentsOct 16, 2026
Reeds Jewelers Expands, Relocates FlagshipThe New York-based jeweler is moving its Amherst flagship store to a larger location in nearby Snyder.
MajorsOct 16, 2026
Katy Chen Appointed Executive Vice President of Graff USA Chen, who worked at Cartier and Tiffany & Co., will lead retail sales and operations for the luxury jeweler’s 11 U.S. stores.
IndependentsOct 15, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Amy and Elise Greenberg For 40 years, sisters Amy and Elise Greenberg have helmed their 126-year-old family business, leading with appreciation and integrity.
ColumnistsOct 15, 2026
Peter Smith: What Is the Culture REP?It’s a term Smith coined and felt compelled to share following a bad experience with an aborted flight and an unfeeling flight attendant.
SourcingOct 15, 2026
Signet Jewelers, Richemont May Join Bidder for De Beers, Report SaysThe two companies are reportedly in talks to join the Global Diamond Consortium, led by former De Beers CEO Gareth Penny, as per Bloomberg.
CollectionsOct 15, 2026
Wolf x Marla Aaron's New Jewelry Box Is for Some (Not All) of Your ThingsThe “Some of the Things” box follows the two larger “Everything” box designs with the look and function of antique sewing and toolboxes.
