EditorsNov 06, 2026
The Spectrum Pieces I Can’t Stop Thinking AboutFrom a Betta fish brooch to a “dragon’s trove” of zircon eggs, here are seven pieces that’ve stuck with Associate Editor Lauren McLemore.
AuctionsFeb 29, 2016
Swatch ‘superlot’ rakes in $6M
Purchased by a “European institution” for six times its pre-sale estimate, the 5,800-piece lot includes prototypes, limited and special edition watches and artwork related to the brand.
Three bidders went back-and-forth more than 30 times at Sotheby’s Hong Kong on Tuesday, vying for the Swatch superlot.
Hong Kong--A “superlot” of Swatch prototypes, limited and special edition watches and brand-related artwork sold for six times its pre-sale estimate at Sotheby’s Tuesday, garnering $6 million.
Three bidders put in more than 30 bids attempting to claim the superlot, called “Swatch and Art from the Dunkel Collection.” It was comprised of 5,800 pieces collected over a span of 25 years by Paul Dunkel, a European collector.
Originally expected to achieve $1.3 million, the collection was sold over the phone to a “European institution,” Sotheby’s said, but provided no further details.
“I have been very happy and emotional to see the international interest in my collection over the past months,” Dunkel said after the sale. “This is a true testament to the universal appeal of Swatch.”
Overall, Sotheby’s April 7 sale of Important Watches in Hong Kong totaled $16.8 million.
Another highlight of the sale was an 18-karat pink gold minute-repeating Patek Philippe tourbillon with an instantaneous perpetual calendar. The Ref. 5207R sold for $610,000.
A complete list of results can be found on Sothebys.com.
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