Phillips has marked a new milestone in the luxury watch market with its New York Watch Auction: XIV, which reached $75.8 million over two days in New York. The result makes it the highest-grossing watch auction ever held in the United States, surpassing the house's own $43.5 million benchmark set last December.
The sale featured strong demand at the very top of the market, with 16 timepieces each crossing the $1 million mark. According to Phillips, the outcome reflects the depth of interest among collectors and the continued strength of independent watchmaking.
The standout lot was an ultra-rare F.P. Journe Chronomètre à Résonance "Souscription, No. 007," which sold for $13.92 million after nearly nine minutes of bidding. That result set multiple records, including the highest price ever achieved for the brand, for an independent watchmaker, and for a 21st-century watch sold at a commercial auction.
Other notable results included a Kari Voutilainen Masterpiece Chronograph at $1.8 million and a Roger Smith Ref. Series 3 "Unique Piece" at $1.2 million. A rare Patek Philippe Ref. 5004G-020, made for Eric Clapton, reached $5.2 million, while another Patek Philippe Ref. 1518 sold for just under $4 million. Rolex also appeared among the top lots, with a 1969 Daytona "John Player Special" bringing in $1.8 million.
The auction underscores how craftsmanship, rarity, and provenance continue to shape the future of collectible watchmaking, where iconic timepieces are increasingly viewed as cultural assets as well as luxury objects.
