The 10 Top Watches From Christie’s December Watch Auction


Rolex PadelloneChristie’s New York closed a very successful season of watch auctions on December 17, with a 365-lot auction of “Important Watches” that achieved a total of $12,926,175, including a new auction record for the highest-selling timepiece, a Rolex reference 8171 “Padellone” in steel. Here are the top 10 sellers in Christie’s year-ending watch auction.

1. Rolex Stainless Steel Reference 8171 “Padellone,” circa 1953

This exceptional Rolex watch, nicknamed “Sleeping Beauty,” sold for $1,145,000, quadrupling its pre-sale estimate of $250,000 – $350,000. It is a stainless steel and diamond-set triple calendar watch with a moon-phase display and powered by an automatic movement. The final price is a new world auction record for this Rolex watch reference.

Rolex Stainless Steel "Padellone" Ref. 8171

Rolex Stainless Steel "Padellone" Ref. 8171

2. Patek Philippe Reference 2499

This Patek Philippe perpetual calendar watch, manufactured in 1960, also has a chronograph and moon-phase display. It has an 18k gold case and a matte silvered dial surrounded by a tachymeter scale. Its final sale price of $725,000 fell within its estimated range of $550,000 – $750,000.

 Patek Philippe Reference 2499

3. Richard Mille Reference RM027-01 AK CA, No. 14/50

A limited-edition Richard Mille watch in a titanium-carbon composite monobloc case, this relatively new model (made in 2012) sold for $605,000. It has a skeletonized movement with a tourbillon.

Richard Mille Ref RM027-01

No Responses to “The 10 Top Watches From Christie’s December Watch Auction”

Show all responses
  1. Leo Sitorus

    Always amazed how PP and Rolex maintain and increase their value along with time.

    Reply
  2. Debashish

    Some of the auctioned watches are truly outstanding, the buyers are really fortunate people to be the owners of these great watches!

    Thank you for the fine report!

    Merry Christmas to you and every member of the Watchtime Team as well as your loved ones!

    Reply
Leave a Reply