
Christie’s November 16 Geneva auction set nine world record prices for Patek and Rolex references on the way to achieving the highest total for any watch auction in 2009: SFr. 19,032,388, or just under $19 million. This was nearly twice the pre-sale low estimate. The results reflected sales of 97% by value and 94% by lot. 900 bidders from 5 continents participated in the sale live, online and on the telephone.
The top price of SFr. 2,400,000 was paid for a Patek Philippe ref. 1526 perpetual calendar wristwatch. Rounding out the top 5 were a gold 1924 Patek single-button chronograph at SFr. 939,000, a platinum Patek ref. 3448/100 perpetual calendar with moon phases at SFr. 783,000, a pink gold Patek ref. 2438/1 perpetual calendar at SFr. 711,000, and a gold Patek ref. 1579 chronograph at SFr. 675,000. The top 5 are pictured below.
Patek Philippe ref. 1526, front and back

1924 Patek Philippe single-button chronograph
Patek Philippe ref. 3448/100
Patek Philippe ref. 2438/1
Patek Philippe ref. 1579