Report: Geneva Fall Auctions 2025
The Geneva auction season for 2025 showcased a mix of high-performing and underwhelming results, particularly highlighting a preference for "trophy" watches among bidders. Notable sales included a vintage Patek Philippe ref. 1518 in steel, which sold for CHF14.2 million, making it the most valuable vintage wristwatch ever auctioned. The season also saw strong performances from independent watchmakers like F.P. Journe, whose pieces fetched impressive sums, while contemporary and vintage mainstream watches generally struggled in bidding. In contrast, the auction highlighted a distinct appreciation for pocket watches, with significant sales such as a Breguet pocket watch no. 1890, which sold for CHF1.88 million. The results illustrated a growing disparity in value between highly significant pieces and others, as well as an increasing interest in independent watchmaking. Bidders with a keen knowledge of horology drove prices for unique timepieces, reflecting an intellectual crossover between independent and vintage watches, while overall participation in the auctions appeared to be narrowing.
