AuctionsSep 09, 2025
‘The Mellon Blue’ to Return to Auction, This Time at Christie’s AuctionsSep 17, 2025
Mythical Set of Patek Philippe Pocket Watches Expected to Sell for $10M+
A set of four Patek Philippe “Star Caliber 2000” pocket watches is part of Sotheby’s upcoming auction in Abu Dhabi.
This set of four Patek Philippe “Star Caliber 2000” pocket watches is the first of its kind ever to come to market and is expected to sell for at least $10 million at Sotheby’s Abu Dhabi auction in December. The watches in the set are 18-karat yellow gold, 18-karat white gold, 18-karat pink gold, and platinum. (Photo courtesy of Sotheby’s)
Abu Dhabi—Sotheby’s has unveiled another highlight of its upcoming “Collectors’ Week” event in Abu Dhabi—a complete set of four Patek Philippe “Star Caliber 2000” pocket watches the auction house expects to sell for more than $10 million.
Created in the year 2000 to mark the turn of the millennium, the “Star Caliber 2000” has 21 complications, 1,118 components, and six innovations that received a patent.
They are: selective opening covers (meaning the cover can be opened on either side by rotating the bow); running equation of time; sunrise and sunset display; sky and moon display; rapid calendar correction (all calendar indicators can be advanced with one push); and a chime that is a faithful reproduction of the sound of Big Ben in London.
Created in the year 2000 to mark the turn of the millennium, the “Star Caliber 2000” has 21 complications, 1,118 components, and six innovations that received a patent.
They are: selective opening covers (meaning the cover can be opened on either side by rotating the bow); running equation of time; sunrise and sunset display; sky and moon display; rapid calendar correction (all calendar indicators can be advanced with one push); and a chime that is a faithful reproduction of the sound of Big Ben in London.
One of the six patents Patek Philippe received for the “Star Caliber 2000” pocket watch is for the sunrise and sunset display, seen at left on the watch face. The timepiece also has a chime that perfectly replicates the sound of Big Ben in London.
The reverse side, or “celestial side,” of the “Star Caliber 2000” displays more stars than Patek Philippe’s other pocket watches.
It is the third most complicated watch Patek Philippe has ever manufactured, Sotheby’s said, behind only the Henry Graves Supercomplication, released in 1933, and the Caliber 89, released in 1989.
Sotheby’s sold the Graves watch for $24 million in 2016, and it remains the second most-expensive watch ever sold at auction.
“Even among the world’s most elite collectors, the ‘Star Caliber 2000’ is something of a myth—whispered about, but rarely encountered,” said Sam Hines, Sotheby’s global chairman of watches.
“To offer a complete, previously unknown set in untouched condition is the kind of opportunity that surfaces once in a generation, if ever.”
Sotheby’s “Abu Dhabi Collectors’ Week” is scheduled for Dec. 2-5 and will take place at The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, which is home to the Louvre Abu Dhabi and the not-yet-opened Guggenheim Abu Dhabi.
It will include masterclasses, panel discussions, and exhibitions that will culminate in three live auctions on Dec. 5, including a single-owner sale of watches and jewelry that includes the Patek Philippe “Star Caliber 2000” pocket watches as well as a 31.68-carat fancy orangy pink diamond.
The sales will mark the first time Sotheby’s has held an auction in Abu Dhabi, and will happen a little over a year after Abu Dhabi-based investment and holding company ADQ took a minority stake in the auction house.
Sotheby’s is holding the sales in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Auctions
The Latest
TechnologyMay 01, 2026
Gemist, Saban Onyx Partner on Retailer-Focused Customization OfferingTheir partnership combines Gemist’s customization technology with Saban Onyx’s U.S.-based manufacturing capabilities.
SurveysMay 01, 2026
Consumer Confidence Inches Up in April Despite Rising Gas PricesRespondents were concerned about the Middle East conflict and how it will impact their finances.
CollectionsMay 01, 2026
A ‘Hidden Garden’ Emerges in Tiffany & Co.’s 2026 Blue BookOur Piece of the Week, the “Butterfly” necklace, showcases a 7.02-carat oval diamond set between diamond, platinum, and 18-karat gold wings.
Brought to you by
Discover Timeless Treasures: A Showcase of Antique Jewelry & Timepieces in Las VegasGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
ColumnistsApr 30, 2026
Peter Smith: A Sleazy Salesman and the Case for Regret Avoidance Smith uses a comment he overheard in the grocery store to remind retailers that their job is to inspire buying behavior, not just sell.
Weekly QuizApr 30, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsApr 30, 2026
Claire’s New Summer Campaign Is a Sensory Wonderland for Gen Alpha“A Girl SMR at Claire’s” celebrates girlhood through the five senses with stacked jewelry, slime toys, scented accessories, and ASMR.
CrimeApr 30, 2026
Masked Group Uses Hammers, Pepper Spray in Texas Jewelry Store RobberyOfficials are looking for a group that robbed Marc Robinson Jewelers at an outlet mall in Round Rock, Texas, in broad daylight on April 21.
Brought to you by
Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show: Showcasing the Most Collectible Merchandise from Across the GlobeGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
Supplier BulletinApr 30, 2026
OROAREZZO 2026: The B2B Event for Italian Excellence in Goldsmith, Jewelry and Silver ManufacturingSponsored by OROAREZZO International Jewelry Exhibition
TechnologyApr 29, 2026
The Thought Process Behind the Mother's Day Email Opt-OutSome retailers are taking a nuanced approach to marketing what can be a difficult holiday for many.
IndependentsApr 29, 2026
Dick Abbott to Retire From The EdgeThe Edge has announced its new CEO, as well as a new partnership with an investment firm focused on founder-led software businesses.
SourcingApr 29, 2026
De Beers’ Production Rises, Market Remains ‘Challenged’De Beers’ diamond production was up 17 percent in Q1, boosted by increased output at its mines in South Africa and Canada.
Policies & IssuesApr 28, 2026
Tariff Refunds: How to File, What to Expect Importers can submit claims now to receive money back for the IEEPA tariffs they’ve paid, with refunds expected to take up to 90 days.
IndependentsApr 28, 2026
This North Carolina Jeweler Is Passing the TorchThe owners of Gregory Jewelers in Morganton, North Carolina, are heading into retirement.
SourcingApr 28, 2026
Doug Hucker Retires From ICAThe colored gemstone industry leader is heading into retirement after four years as the association’s CEO.
SourcingApr 28, 2026
NDC Hires Tapestry Exec to Head Global Marketing Susie Dewey joins the Natural Diamond Council as its new chief marketing officer.
AuctionsApr 27, 2026
12 Years Later, the ‘Ocean Dream’ Diamond Resurfaces at Christie’sThe largest known fancy vivid blue-green diamond could fetch more than $12 million at its second auction appearance.
ColumnistsApr 27, 2026
Stop Treating Mother’s Day Like an AfterthoughtEmmanuel Raheb says jewelers need to start marketing early and make it easy for customers to pick a gift for mom.
IndependentsApr 27, 2026
Longnecker Jewelry Celebrates 30 YearsIn honor of the milestone, the Nebraska jeweler has debuted Leslie & Co., its new in-house jewelry brand.
MajorsApr 27, 2026
JBT Re-Elects Jeff Corey as Board ChairThe trade organization, which held its annual elections earlier this year, also added five new board members.
SurveysApr 24, 2026
Mother’s Day 2026 Jewelry Spending to Top $7B, NRF SaysNRF’s annual survey found that 45 percent of consumers plan to purchase jewelry for a loved one this Mother’s Day.
TechnologyApr 24, 2026
TwentyFour’s Digital-Age Locket Is a Virtual VaultThe “Vault” charm, our Piece of the Week, expands on the memories that can be stored in a locket by connecting to your phone.
Events & AwardsApr 24, 2026
Hamptons Jewelry Show to Return in JulyThe open-to-the-public luxury jewelry and timepiece show, in its second year, is slated for July 23-26.
IndependentsApr 23, 2026
Meet the Real Moms of Day’s JewelersThe jeweler’s Mother’s Day campaign highlights the women who work there—mothers, grandmothers, women who want to be mothers, and dog moms.
Supplier BulletinApr 23, 2026
JM® Shipping Solution: Smarter Shipping for High-Value GoodsSponsored by Jewelers Mutual
Lab-GrownApr 23, 2026
Charles & Colvard May Sell Assets for $1.5MThe proposed agreement follows the moissanite maker’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection filing last month.
AuctionsApr 23, 2026
John Jacob Astor IV’s Titanic Pocket Watch Fetches $1MThe Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co. timepiece Astor brought aboard the ill-fated ship sold for double its estimate at a Freeman’s auction.
