When it comes to luxury watch prices worldwide, Not only do brand retail prices and secondary market prices play a role, But the influence of auctions cannot be ignored. Every year during the spring and autumn auction seasons, Watches that become the talk of the town make their appearance. VIVER has also gathered some of the most astonishingly priced watches recently revealed.

Rather than considering the watches mentioned today as actual purchase options, It would be better to focus on the stories behind the watches that appear at auction.

Patek Philippe Pink on Pink

Patek Philippe Pink on Pink Ref. 1518 / ⓒ Sotheby’s

This is the Patek Philippe Ref. 1518, Which is said to have been kept untouched in a drawer for 30 years after being purchased by its first owner in 1947. The Ref. 1518 is one of the first perpetual calendar chronographs produced by the Patek Philippe maison. Only 281 pieces were made at the time, And among them, Only 10 were sold in pink gold. Since it has never been sold before, The estimated hammer price is an astonishing 2.5 to 4.5 million dollars. In 2021, A similar piece once owned by Prince Tewfik Adil Toussoun of Egypt was sold for 9.57 million dollars, Far exceeding the previous record of 2.2 million dollars. This watch will be up for auction at Sotheby’s New York in June.

Patek Philippe of the Last Emperor of the Qing Dynasty

This is another Patek Philippe watch. The Patek Philippe Ref. 96 Quantieme Lune moon phase calendar watch, Once owned by Puyi, The last emperor of the Qing Dynasty and well known from the film "The Last Emperor, " is coming up for auction at Phillips. This model was sold at a store in Paris, France in 1937 and is known to exist in only eight pieces worldwide.

However, Rather than just the rarity of the watch, Its historical value is highly regarded because it was with Puyi, Who lived a turbulent life as a royal of a fallen nation. It is expected to fetch over 3 million dollars (about 4 billion KRW) at auction.
Phillips Auction received the watch in 2019, But it took three years to verify its authenticity and historical records, Involving watch experts, Historians, And scientists.
(Update as of 2023.5.24)
At the auction held in Hong Kong on May 23, The watch was finally sold for about 6.2 million dollars (about 8 billion KRW).

Paul Newman's Daytona

Paul Newman's Daytona Ref. 16520, Ref. 116519 / ⓒ Sotheby’s

Paul Newman's Daytona Ref. 6239 / ⓒ Getty Images

At Sotheby’s New York in June, Two Daytonas cherished by American actor and race car driver Paul Newman during his lifetime were also put up for auction. Another Daytona worn by Paul Newman set the record for the most expensive wristwatch ever sold at 17.8 million dollars (about 20 billion KRW) at the Phillips auction in New York in 2017, Becoming a legend as the "world’s most expensive watch."

Of the two Daytonas up for auction this time, The Ref. 16520 was given to Paul Newman as a prize for winning the "Daytona 24 Hours Race" in 1994, And the other was a gift from his wife Joanne Woodward, Engraved with the affectionate message "DRIVE VERY SLOWLY" and his name. This watch was also worn by Paul Newman in his last race. The estimated auction price for these watches is between 500, 000 and 1, 000, 000 dollars (about 670 million to 1.34 billion KRW).

Daytona 16520

40mm, Black, Oyster

Daytona 16520

40mm, White, Oyster

Daytona 116519

40mm, Gray/Arabic, Strap

Daytona 116519LN

40mm, Meteorite, Black, Strap

Honda X Rolex

Honda X Rolex Date Ref. 15000 / ⓒ Wind vintage

It is extremely rare for vintage Rolex watches to feature the logo of another brand.
The recently revealed Rolex Date watch is one such example. Eric Wind, A vintage watch expert who runs "Wind Vintage, " unveiled this vintage watch, Which was awarded as a prize to the top salesperson at a sales competition for Honda car dealers in 1985. It is said that only two of these watches were ever produced.

This watch is a Rolex Date model released in the 1950s and features a design similar to the modern Datejust. It is being sold for 25, 000 dollars (about 33 million KRW).

Rolex Milgauss

The Rolex Milgauss recently set a new record for the highest price ever for a Milgauss model, Selling for 2.5 million dollars (about 3.35 billion KRW) at a Phillips auction. What is unusual is that the Rolex brand itself participated in the auction, And due to bidding competition with an American collector, The final price more than doubled from the initial estimate of 1.1 million dollars.

Milgauss was created in 1956 to withstand magnetic fields for scientists, And this particular watch is said to be an early piece made in 1958. The lightning bolt-shaped second hand, Which remained until the Milgauss was discontinued in March, Has been present since this time!

Milgauss 116400GV

40mm, Intense Black, Oyster

Milgauss 116400GV

40mm, Z-Blue, Oyster

Sophie

Editor

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