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Christie's Rare Watches Auction Hits CHF 33 Million, Sets Records

market-auction · 2026-05-13

The live auction of Rare Watches at Christie's garnered a remarkable CHF 33,054,441 / US$ 42,309,684, marking the highest total for any various owner watch auction at the house. With an impressive 99% sell-through rate by lot, the sale surpassed the low estimate by 188%, and 60% of the lots exceeded their high estimates. A standout piece, a 1990 Cartier Crash London, tripled its low estimate, fetching CHF 1,585,000 / US$ 2,028,800, setting a new world record for this model. The top-selling item was an F. P. Journe Platinum Tourbillon Souverain, Ref. T, which sold for CHF 2,439,000 / US$ 3,121,920, five times its low estimate, consigned by the original owner's family after its introduction at Baselworld in 1999.

Key facts

  • Total achieved: CHF 33,054,441 / US$ 42,309,684
  • Highest result for any various owner watch auction at Christie's
  • 99% sell-through rate by lot
  • Sold 188% above low estimate
  • 60% of lots sold above high estimate
  • 1990 Cartier Crash London sold for CHF 1,585,000 / US$ 2,028,800 (tripled low estimate, world record)
  • Top lot: F. P. Journe Platinum Tourbillon Souverain, Ref. T, sold for CHF 2,439,000 / US$ 3,121,920 (five times low estimate)
  • F. P. Journe watch introduced at Baselworld in 1999, consigned by family of original owner

Entities

Institutions

  • Christie's

Sources