Eric Clapton’s Patek Philippe sells at Christie’s Auction for $3,635,808

This week, the exceptionally rare platinum perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch with moon phases, ref. 2499/100, manufactured by Patek Philippe in 1987 and offered from the collection of Eric Clapton, sold for $3,635,808, setting a world record price for this reference at auction.

The top price of the sale was paid for the ‘J.B. Champion Platinum Observatory Chronometer’, a unique platinum chronometer wristwatch, ref. 2458, which was specially manufactured by Patek Philippe for J.B. Champion, the legendary American watch collector, in 1952. This historically important timepiece realized $3,990,624, setting a world auction record for a watch without complications.

World record prices were also set for other Patek Philippe models, Rolex, Omega, antique and 20th century enamels, decorative watches and contemporary watches.

Aurel Bacs, International Head of Christie’s Watch Department, said, “Christie’s auction of Important Watches in Geneva performed extremely well, demonstrating great consistency at all levels in terms of watches, prices and clients. In a broad, healthy and ever growing market, where buyers demand expertise and scholarship, we offered once again the finest selection of watches and wristwatches. A packed saleroom, today’s seven-hour marathon auction welcomed some 500 registrants from five continents, generating stellar sell-through rates as well as breaking numerous records. Collectors, public and private museums, the trade and also an investment watch fund, battled out the bidding for the best watches seen at auction this season, reconfirming Christie’s market leadership in every horological category. This is our recipe: sourcing top quality properties, pricing them accurately, presenting them to the right audience, in the right place, at the right time”.

Courtesy of Christie’s Images LTD, 2012.