Could F.P. Journe Propel Phillips New York to a Record-Breaking Watch Auction?
Phillips New York Watch Auction: XV features 196 lots scheduled for December 5–6, including 12 watches with pre-sale estimates above $1 million. With combined low estimates of about $25.4 million, the sale would need to average more than 4.42 times its minimum estimates—and exceed $572,800 per lot—to surpass Phillips’ recent Geneva auction, which brought in $92 million. Phillips has encouraged US-based consignments by emphasizing that domestic buyers at the New York sale would not face import tariffs on the watches. F.P. Journe watches are among the sale’s major attractions, including an early Souscription Tourbillon Souverain, a rare Sincere Fine Watches anniversary edition, and a Grande et Petite Sonnerie. Other highlights include important Patek Philippe references 1518 and 2499, a rare anniversary-edition reference 3970, and a yellow-gold Rolex Daytona “Paul Newman.” The auction’s outcome may show whether New York can rival Geneva as a center for high-value watch sales.
Buying Time Analysis: This story is important because Phillips New York’s sale could challenge Geneva’s record as the highest-grossing watch auction, with rare F.P. Journe pieces likely to drive bidding.
