A one-of-a-kind Patek Philippe wristwatch has sold for $4.3 million at Sotheby’s New York, making it the auction house’s most expensive timepiece sale of the year so far. The extraordinary result highlights enduring collector demand for historically significant, limited-edition watches—especially from the storied Swiss watchmaker.
Despite its strong showing, the 1957 pink gold perpetual calendar chronograph with moon phases fell short of its previous record of $7.75 million, set at Sotheby’s Hong Kong. Still, the watch surpassed its pre-sale expectations, which were pegged between $3 million and $5 million.
Sold originally through famed Milanese retailer Gobbi Milano, this reference is one of only nine ever produced. Remarkably, it is the only known example to have survived, enhancing its appeal and rarity among horology enthusiasts.
The timepiece led Sotheby’s Important Watches: Take a Minute auction held on June 10, drawing intense interest from global collectors. It was ultimately secured by a private buyer with a deep appreciation for vintage haute horlogerie.
Notably, this isn’t the watch’s first time making headlines. It previously went under the hammer at Christie’s Geneva in 2007, where it sold for CHF 2.7 million—approximately $2.2 million at the time—demonstrating how elite timepieces can appreciate significantly in value.
With a legacy rooted in craftsmanship and scarcity, this Patek Philippe remains a benchmark for collectible wristwatches, underscoring why the brand continues to dominate the upper echelons of the auction world.
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