As power shifted toward the secondary watch market over the pandemic and crypto-boom years, value retention became the new acid test that crowns industry leaders. While collectors once viewed auctions as hunting grounds for underappreciated bargains, premier houses like Phillips have evolved into high-octane arenas that can define—or destroy—a brand’s reputation.
Exotic creations by revered marques like Patek Philippe, Rexhep Rexhepi, Kari Voutilainen and FP Journe have surfaced for auction this November and December. One-of-a-kind offerings include a blue-dial Harry Winston Opus 1 Chronomètre à Résonance created by François-Paul Journe and Maximilian Büsser, and the only known pink gold example of the FP Journe "Pre-Souscription" Résonance. Among the ultra-rarities up for bids, these references below are expected to smash their upper estimates.
Case in point: Paul Newman’s personal Rolex that hammered for over US$17 million in 2017 elevated the desirability of the entire Daytona line, while the Tiffany-blue Patek Philippe Nautilus that fetched over US$6 million in 2021 ignited a global craze, and industry-wide premiums, for blue dials. It’s important to note that both of those record-shattering sales were achieved at Phillips New York, where several rarities will soon be up for bids for the first time.
This fall auction season, Phillips presents a blockbuster trifecta: the Geneva Watch Auction: XXIV on November 7th and 8th, the Hong Kong Watch Auction: XXIII on November 21st and 22nd, and the New York Watch Auction: XV on December 5th and 6th.
While all three sales feature extraordinary rarities from Rolex, Patek Philippe, and top independent makers, the overwhelming presence of F.P. Journe timepieces is impossible to ignore—a clear signal that the living legend’s momentum shows no signs of slowing down.
Special thanks to the good folks at Phillips for inviting us to photograph these extraordinary timepieces.
Highlights from the Geneva Watch Auction: XXIV (November 7th and 8th 2026)
Patek Philippe Ref. 1436 in steel
Estimate: CHF2,000,000–4,000,000
Patek Philippe has contributed immensely to the furtherance of split-seconds chronograph technology, and when it released the Ref. 1436 in 1938, this model became the first split-seconds chronograph to be serially produced by the brand. Experts estimate that as few as 140 examples of this watch were ever produced. This particular piece was made in 1946, and its encasement in steel has lofted its estimate into the millions.
Rolex Ref. 6062 Stelline in 18k yellow gold
Estimate: CHF600,000–1,200,000
Among the few Stelline models that exist in the wild, this particular lot is one of the best-preserved yellow gold examples ever found. Acquired in Japan from its original owner, this 1952 model’s dial displays a moonphase and triple calendar, and hardly shows any signs of wear or patina.
FP Journe Chronomètre à Résonance Régence in platinum
Estimate: CHF1,000,000–2,000,000
Only three hand-engraved versions of FP Journe’s vaunted Chronomètre à Résonance “Régence” exist. From what began as a five-watch set for Swiss retailer Les Ambassadeurs, only two examples of this watch, in different tones of gold, were eventually delivered. This reference is powered by a brass caliber 1499, which recalls François-Paul Journe’s fledging years before he switched to gold movements.
Harry Winston and F.P. Journe Ref. 200/MTFPJ38P Opus One
Estimate: CHF400,000–800,000
When Maximilian Büsser was CEO of Harry Winston, he had already begun collaborating with talented artisans to create bold and complicated watches. This pièce unique from 2001 marks the partnership between Harry Winston and a then-relatively unknown watchmaker named François-Paul Journe. Büsser had masterminded this dream team-up years before he founded his eponymous brand, MB&F, which continues to champion this spirit of daring and earnest collaboration. Only six Opus 1 Chronomètre à Résonance were made, but each was given a unique dial color and finish.
Highlights from the Hong Kong Watch Auction: XXIII (November 21st and 22nd 2026)
FP Journe Chronomètre à Résonance “Parking Meter” for The Armoury in platinum
Estimate: HK$6,000,000-12,000,000
Also known as the F.P. Journe Chronomètre à Résonance RT “Mark Cho Special”, this special commission for Armoury founder Mark Cho marks the final time F.P. Journe’s platinum “Parking Meter” was housed in a 38mm case. Its platinum case paired with navy blue dial are a colorway chosen by Cho that is unlikely to ever be repeated. Only five of these watches exist.
FP Journe Tourbillon Souverain No. 069 in platinum
Estimate: HK$3,900,000–11,600,000
The FP Journe Tourbillon Souverain embodies what is arguably François-Paul Journe’s greatest contribution to mechanical watchmaking—successfully miniaturizing the remontoir d’égalité from the marine chronometer and integrating it into a slender wristwatch. This 2001 version with a yellow gold dial is one of only nine such examples. Still in remarkable condition, it is driven by a rare brass movement, and comes with its original box and papers. Another Tourbillon Souverain will also be up for auction in December at the New York Watch Auction: XV.
Haldimann H1 Flying Central Tourbillon, PuristS Series 2, ref. S2-02-828
Estimate: HK$1,000,000–2,000,000
Renowned for his precision engineering and unassailable hand decoration, master watchmaker Beat Haldimann is preceded by masterworks like his Flying Central Tourbillon, and only made four examples of the PuristS Series 2. Put on auction by its original owner, this particular piece was made in 2012, making it one of Haldimann’s earliest watches.
Kiu Tai Yu HK 2000 in white gold
Estimate: HK$150,000–300,000
Bearing the name of the AHCI’s first Asian member, this specific edition of the Kiu Tai Yu HK 2000 is one of only four 18k white gold examples known to exist. It represents a pivotal juncture in the global proliferation of watchmaking knowledge, when an Asian watchmaker infused Swiss chronometry with symbols from his language and culture.
Highlights from the New York Watch Auction: XV (December 5th and 6th 2026)
Patek Philippe “Second Series” Ref. 2499 in pink gold
Estimate: In excess of US$3,000,000
A mid-century masterpiece that combined a perpetual calendar and precision chronograph way before computer-aided design came along, the Patek Philippe 2499 persists as one of the brand’s rarest and most sought-after vintage icons. US$3 million is too modest an estimate, because in May 2026, Phillips sold a Ref. 2499 in yellow gold for over US$10 million.
FP Journe “Second Generation” Tourbillon Souverain No.036 in platinum
Estimate: US$600,000–1,200,000
Similar to the example up for bids at the Hong Kong Watch Auction: XXIII but from a different “generation”, this FP Journe Tourbillon Souverain is part of the “second generation” series. The “second generation” comprises just 16 examples, making it the rarest of all Tourbillon Souverain runs.
FP Journe “Pre-Souscription” Résonance in 18K pink gold
Estimate: $600,000–1,200,000
To generate startup capital, François-Paul Journe made 20 serially numbered “Souscription” Résonance watches around the year 2000, which have each realized between US$1 million to over US$13 million at auction. This particular “Pre-Souscription” timepiece up for bids precedes his souscription series, and bears design codes likes shallow caseback engravings and silvery dials that distinguish early Journe creations. Furthermore, this remarkable lot is the only known pink gold example of the “Pre-Souscription” Résonance, so it’s fair to say that its upper estimate of US$1.2 million is exceedingly modest.
FP Journe “Prototype” Octa Reserve de Marche
Estimate: In Excess of US$500,000
While the Tourbillon Souverain embodies the years that François-Paul Journe dedicated to researching, developing and scaling down the remontoir mechanism, his Octa line showcases his mastery of simplicity. The FP Journe Octa is powered by the caliber 1300 that Journe designed to be easily coupled with future complications, and packs an impressive 120 hours of power reserve. This particular example is one of three prototypes that first tested the caliber 1300 before its commercial launch.
Akirivia AK-02
Estimate: US$500,000–1,000,000
One of 21st-century horology’s most decorated and sought-after watchmakers, Rexhep Rexhepi is celebrated for his mastery of both mechanical engineering and intricate hand-finishing. This pièce unique AK-02 showcases a hand-hammered iridescent titanium dial, and comes with a hand-hammered yellow gold dial.
Patek Philippe Ref. 5971/13P-010
Estimate: US$600,000–1,200,000
First released in 2007, the Ref. 5971 was the canvas where Patek Philippe demonstrated its elite gem-setting capabilities. The Ref. 5971/13P-010, in particular, features 42 invisibly set baguette-cut emeralds and seven emerald hour indices. The emerald examples of the Ref. 5971 are far rarer than the diamond-set versions. This reference also recalls a watershed moment for Patek Philippe, when the maison was transitioning from Lemania-based movements to fully in-house movements.
Vianney Halter Deep Space Tourbillon in titanium
Estimate: US$120,000–$240,000
One of the most important vanguards who led horology’s avant-gardist revolution in the 2000s, Vianney Halter stole headlines when he unveiled the Deep Space Tourbillon in 2013, which clinched the GPHG Innovation Prize that same year. Its tourbillon has three axes that complete their rotations every 40 seconds, 6 minutes and 30 minutes respectively.
