Phillips is bringing nearly 90 exceptional timepieces to its latest online auction, which the auction house describes as the most valuable internet-based watch sale ever organized by its New York team.
Running through October 9 in partnership with Bacs & Russo, the auction features watches from independent makers including Kari Voutilainen and F.P. Journe alongside major names such as Patek Philippe, Rolex and Jaeger-LeCoultre.
A Strong Year for Phillips
The online sale follows a record-setting spring for Phillips, which generated $235.5 million across its watch auctions during the season. The auction house also sold three watches for more than $10 million each for the first time in the industry’s history.
In May, its Geneva sale became the highest-grossing watch auction ever, generating 74.8 million Swiss francs, or approximately $96.3 million based on the current exchange rate.
Paul Boutros, deputy chairman and head of watches for the Americas at Phillips, said the latest sale reflects continued collector interest in independent watchmaking, established luxury brands and well-preserved examples.
Rare Voutilainen Leads the Sale
Among the most notable pieces is a particularly rare Kari Voutilainen 28Sport, a limited-edition watch that combines the structure of a traditional dress watch with a sportier design.
Introduced in 2020, the 28Sport was produced in editions of eight titanium and eight steel watches. The example in the current auction is made from steel and features an onyx dial with a blue guilloché hour track.
Phillips estimates that only two watches may have been produced in this specific configuration. Its original estimate was $120,000 to $240,000, but bidding has already reached $550,000.
Patek Philippe and Rolex Among Highlights
The auction also includes a Patek Philippe Ref. 5270J in yellow gold, carrying an estimate of $80,000 to $160,000.
Another standout is the Rolex Daytona Ref. 116506, widely known as the “Platona.” The model features a platinum case, an ice-blue dial and diamond hour markers.
Boutros said the selection brings together independent watchmaking and established references from Patek Philippe and Rolex, which Phillips considers representative of the qualities driving collector interest in the current market.
The auction comprises 88 lots, with estimates ranging from $2,000 to $240,000. The lots will close approximately one minute apart on October 9.
Patek Philippe and Rolex that continue to define their categories,” adds Boutros. “Together, they make this the strongest online watch auction ever presented by our New York team.”
The 88 lots, with estimates ranging from $2,000 to $240,000, will close roughly a minute apart on October 9. Based on pre-sale high estimates, the auction is expected to realize roughly $3.94 million, but will likely achieve more if that Voutilainen lot is anything to go by.
