How Auction History Set the Stage
Before the Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime Ref. 6300A-010 sold for a record $31 million in November 2019, the most expensive wristwatch sold at auction was a Patek Philippe stainless steel 1518 from 2016, fetching $11 million.
Luxury watch auctions have long built intrigue in the collecting world. In the early 2000s, collectors watched in awe as Rolex Daytona “Paul Newman” models breached $100,000. The trajectory has only climber higher.
Indeed, Patek Philippe themselves have continually set bencharks. Their titanium Grand Complications ref. 5208 sold for over $6 million at Only Watch 2017. And we cannot ignore Vacheron Constantin – their ref. 57260 with 57 complications fetched $8.8 million in 2015, showing innovation spans across Swiss watchmaking.
The Allure of Patek Philippe
Patek Philippe has held a special place atop watchmaking for over 180 years. The Swiss brand focuses almost exclusively on mechanical timepieces from simple calibers to incredibly intricate minute repeaters and astronomical indications.
Their movmements exhibit finissage decoration at the peak of haute horlogerie – the pinnacle of fine watchmaking. Collector’s revere not just their quality, but their styling passing down design elements between generations.
The clean Calatrava, sporty Nautilis, and dynamic Grand Complications all contain a subtle elegance and balance unique to Patek. There is a reason “You never actually own a Patek Philippe. You merely look after it for the next generation.”
Understanding Complications
…Detailed explanations of minute repeater, tourbillon, perpetual calendar, and other features…
Comparing Top-Tier Complicated Watches
| Watch | Complications | Components | Sold Price |
| Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime Ref 6300A-010 | 20 | Over 1500 | $31 million |
| Vacheron Constantin Ref. 57260 | 57 | Over 3000 | $8.8 million |
Christie‘s Impeccable Watch Auction History
The world‘s most expensive and historically important timepieces often come up for sale through auction specialists like Christie’s…
Supporting Innovation through Only Watch
Only Watch calls upon the generosity of luxury watch brands to donate unique timepieces to be auctioned off every two years, with funds going toward critical Duchenne muscular dystrophy research.
Past Only Watch events have seen great success. The Patek Philippe Sky Moon Tourbillion sold for over $1.8 million in Only Watch 2015, showing the willingness of patrons to dig deep for mechanical creativity and humanitarian causes converging…
On November 9, 2019 the Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime Ref. 6300A-010 stepped on the stage at Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues during the hotly anticipated Only Watch 2019 auction…
The saleroom held their breath watching the final bids escalate higher and higher, rewarding the creativity that had coalesced into this incredible Grandmaster Chime creation. When the hammer finally fell, the room erupted into astonished applause at the final record result of 31 million Swiss francs.
The Thrill of the Hunt
The journey doesn’t end once the auction hammer falls. For the buyer of the $31 million Grandmaster Chime, their treasure had finally been captured. But first, we hope they paused to listen to its sonnerie chime, letting the music wash over them. The thrill of this chase was no doubt monumental.
But perhaps greater yet is the satisfaction in preserving its legacy for future generations. As the saying goes, no one ever truly owns a Patek Philippe. We merely protect them until it comes time to pass the mantle.
For this Grandmaster Chime, that responsibility now rests on its unnamed buyer who scooped the prize away at auction. For them, appreciating this chimpling symphonic masterpiece will be reward enough for years to come from a wise horological investment.
