Sotheby’s ‘Area_51’ Watch Auction Totals $1.6M

The 51 unique watches from Sotheby’s three-day sale and immersive exhibition all found buyers, with the top lot selling for $229,955.

Natalie Francisco natalie.francisco@nationaljeweler.com

F.P. Journe Chronomètre Bleau Byblos Watch

This F.P. Journe “Chronomètre Bleau Byblos” timepiece was the top lot in Sotheby’s “Area_51” watch auction. It sold for 203,200 CHF ($229,955), just above its highest pre-sale estimate of 200,000 CHF ($112,290 to $224,580).

Geneva—Sotheby’s “Area_51” auction of 51 vintage and modern “alien” watches totaled 1,366,139 CHF ($1.6 million), with every lot selling.

The Area_51 auction, named after the highly classified U.S. military location in the Nevada desert allegedly shielding evidence of extraterrestrial life, featured watches the auction house described as having “seemingly alien” designs—timepieces with unusual case shapes or crafted of materials not often used in watches.

It was Sotheby’s second curated thematic sale created in partnership with heist-out.

Held in Geneva during the Watches & Wonders show, the immersive experience brought buyers to what was designed to look like a crash-landed UFO in Geneva, with an exhibition area that appeared to be a top-secret alien research station.

Manon Hagie, head of sale for Area_51, said it was even more ambitious than the “Rough Diamonds” auction, Sotheby’s first sale organized in conjunction with heist-out.

“The theme clearly [resonated] with dozens of international committed bidders, with nearly 40 percent of them bidding from the USA despite the uncertainty about newly announced tariffs. It’s a sign that the market is continuing to show some resistance to risk when the watches are truly exceptional,” Hagie said.

Area_51 featured some of the rarest references ever seen and many of the pieces displayed “extraterrestrial” design inspiration, Sotheby’s said.

The top lot, seen above, was a limited-edition F.P. Journe “Chronomètre Bleau Byblos” timepiece. Created in 2015, it is a semi-skeletonized wristwatch made out of tantalum.

It sold for 203,200 CHF ($229,955), above its estimate of 100,000 CHF to 200,000 CHF ($112,290 to $224,580).

Sotheby’s Area 51 Rolex Starship Gold — This yellow gold Rolex “Starship Gold” bracelet watch circa 1980 sold for 19,050 CHF ($21,558).

Sotheby’s Area 51 Patek Philippe Ref. 4233/1 — A circa 1975 Patek Philippe Ref. 4233/1 bracelet watch in yellow gold with lapis lazuli, malachite, and turquoise. It sold for 69,850 CHF ($79,047).

A highlight of the auction was a “Starship Gold” Rolex bracelet watch from 1980. It sold for 19,050 CHF ($21,558), well above its estimate of 8,000 CHF to 12,000 CHF ($9,000 to $13,500).

Another noteworthy vintage piece is the Patek Philippe Ref. 4233/1. The bracelet watch from 1975 features lapis lazuli, malachite, and turquoise set in yellow gold.

It sold for 69,850 CHF ($79,047), more than its estimate of 20,000 CHF to 40,000 CHF ($22,470 to $44,950).

Sotheby’s Area 51 Toledano and Chan B/2 Area 51 — The “B/2 Area 51” watch by Toledano and Chan was made specifically for Sotheby’s “Area 51” sale. It sold for 20,320 CHF ($2,996).

Sotheby’s Area 51 Furlan Marri Disco Volante Area 51 — Furlan Marri’s “Disco Volante Area 51” watch was also made for the sale. It realized 16,510 CHF ($18,684).

Among the 51 vintage and modern lots were a number of watches made this year specifically for the Area_51 sale.

One is the “B/2 Area 51” sandblasted stainless steel wristwatch created by Toledano and Chan.

It sold for 20,320 CHF ($22,996), more than its estimate of 8,000 CHF to 12,000 CHF ($9,000 to $13,500).

Furlan Marri also created the “Disco Volante Area 51” timepiece with a meteorite dial for the sale.

It sold for 16,510 CHF ($18,684), topping its pre-sale estimate of 6,000 CHF to 12,000 CHF ($6,740 to $13,500).