Phillips marks ten years of watch auctions with the Decade One sale in Geneva

Phillips’ Decade One Geneva auction marks 10 years of watch collecting with a line-up of rare watches, including a Patek Philippe 1518 in steel

On November 8 and 9, Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo will mark a decade of watch auctions with the Decade One (2015–2025) thematic auction at the Hôtel Président in Geneva. 

The sale reflects ten years of notable watches, record results, and scholarship while presenting a selection of timepieces representative of contemporary collecting.

Headlining the sale is the Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar Chronograph Ref. 1518 in stainless steel (Lot 23), the first steel 1518 ever made and one of only four known. 

When last offered by Phillips in 2016, it achieved CHF 11,002,000, setting a record as the most expensive wristwatch sold at auction at the time and the first to surpass the eight-figure mark. Estimate in excess of CHF 8,000,000.

For the first time in auction history, it will be offered alongside two of its siblings: an 18k yellow gold 1518 (Lot 40) and an ultra-rare “pink-on-pink” example (Lot 144) with a pink-gold case and a salmon pink dial, one of approximately 15 known. Estimate for the 18k yellow gold 1518: CHF 200,000–400,000. Estimate for the “pink-on-pink” example: CHF 1,200,000–2,400,000.

Also included is a first-series Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar Chronograph Ref. 2499 in yellow gold (Lot 213), considered the rarest of the four series. Estimate CHF 750,000–1,500,000.

Rolex is represented by rare pieces with Omani provenance, including a fresh-to-market Rolex Day-Date “Rainbow” Ref. 18059 (Lot 32) made for His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said. 

One of three known “Rainbow” Day-Dates with a Khanjar caseback, it is the only example fitted with a diamond-set Jubilee bracelet and a red Khanjar. Estimate CHF 700,000–1,400,000.

Collectors will also find the 18k yellow-gold Rolex Daytona “Paul Newman” Ref. 6239 (Lot 34), nicknamed the “Golden Pagoda,” among the best-preserved champagne-dial Paul Newman examples known. Estimate CHF 500,000–1,000,000.

Among the notable pieces from independent watchmakers is the F.P. Journe Chronomètre à Résonance “Souscription, 2/20” (Lot 182), the second example produced in Journe’s original 2000 Souscription series and offered by its original owner. Estimate: CHF 450,000–900,000.

Also featured is the F.P. Journe Tourbillon Souverain TN “Régence Circulaire” (Lot 97) in 18k pink gold with a matching engraved pink-gold dial. Estimate: CHF 320,000–600,000.

The catalogue features the 1907 J. Player & Son “Hyper-Complication” pocket watch (Lot 39), among the most complex vintage pocket watches ever made, combining a three-train carillon minute repeater, grande and petite sonnerie, split-seconds chronograph, tourbillon, equation of time, alarm, power reserve, and thermometer. Estimate CHF 400,000–800,000.

The Decade One catalogue also includes 16 Patek Philippes from the Ernst Schuster Collection. Schuster, a pioneering figure in modern watch collecting, has spent decades assembling only the rarest and most exceptional timepieces. 

Among them is a fourth-series Patek Philippe Ref. 2499 Perpetual Calendar Chronograph in yellow gold with a Gübelin-signed dial (Lot 105). Estimate CHF 400,000–800,000.

Phillips Watches

Decade One (2015-2025) 

8 and 9 November 2025 - Geneva, Hotel President