Bonhams Reports Soaring Prices for Cartier and Piaget Watches
The auction market for collectible watches is expanding and diversifying, attracting a younger, globally connected audience that includes first‑time bidders and digitally savvy enthusiasts. While traditional powerhouses such as Rolex and Patek Philippe remain popular, demand is shifting toward brands like Cartier, Piaget, and independent makers, with dress watches experiencing a resurgence alongside sports models. Bonhams highlights that many watches outside headline‑grabbing record sales have shown strong percentage appreciation, and the overall depth of the market continues to grow through online bidding, private sales, and year‑round client engagement. Jonathan Darracott, Bonhams’ Global Head of Watches, notes that the broader market’s strength is reflected in higher bidder registrations and increased participation across both live and online formats. Private sales and flexible buying options have helped the house reach a wider audience without sacrificing exclusivity for top clients. The firm expects the current momentum to persist into the fall and beyond, forecasting continued enthusiasm for neo‑vintage pieces that combine modern wearability with rarity and strong provenance.
Buying Time Analysis: The story highlights a booming and diversifying collectible watch market, showing how brands like Cartier and Piaget are driving strong price appreciation and broader collector interest beyond traditional high‑end pieces.
